Air India flight makes emergency landing after BOMB THREAT – just ONE DAY after London-bound plane crashed killing 241

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Panic grips 156 passengers as Delhi-bound flight forced back to Thailand while nation reels from worst aviation disaster in decade

An Air India flight carrying 156 passengers was forced to make an emergency landing in Thailand after a bomb threat was discovered on board – just one day after the airline suffered its deadliest crash in history, killing 241 people.

Flight AI 379 from Phuket to New Delhi made a dramatic U-turn over the Andaman Sea on Friday morning after a threatening message was found scrawled on a bathroom wall, triggering immediate emergency protocols at Phuket International Airport.

The terrifying incident comes as India is still reeling from Thursday’s catastrophic crash of a London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner that claimed 241 lives in Ahmedabad.

BOMB THREAT DETAILS

The Delhi-bound flight took off from Phuket at 9:30 AM local time but was forced to return after just 20 minutes in the air when the threat was discovered.

According to airport officials:

• A suspicious message was found written on a bathroom wall
• The pilot immediately alerted air traffic control
• The aircraft circled over the Andaman Sea before returning
• Emergency protocols were activated at Phuket airport

There was panic when the announcement was made, but the crew remained professional and calm,” one passenger who wished to remain anonymous told reporters.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Phuket International Airport immediately activated Chapter 3 of its Airport Contingency Plan (ACP) – the standard operating procedure for managing bomb threats.

All 156 passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft following standard emergency protocols after landing.

All 156 passengers on flight AI 379 had been escorted from the plane, in line with emergency plans,” an Airports of Thailand official confirmed.

NATION IN MOURNING

The bomb scare comes less than 24 hours after Air India’s deadliest disaster:

Thursday’s Ahmedabad Crash:

• Flight AI171 to London Gatwick crashed just 5 minutes after takeoff
• 241 dead out of 242 on board
• Only survivor: British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (seat 11A)
• Aircraft crashed into medical college hostel during lunch hour

Passenger breakdown on crashed flight:

• 169 Indian nationals
• 53 British nationals
• 7 Portuguese nationals
• 1 Canadian national

PROMINENT VICTIM

Among those killed was Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat state, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed.

“He will be remembered as a grassroots leader who devoted his life for the development & welfare of his state,” Singh said in a statement.

DOUBLE TRAGEDY

The back-to-back incidents have sent shockwaves through India’s aviation industry:

Thursday: Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashes killing 241 Friday: Bomb threat forces emergency landing

Aviation experts are calling it the darkest 48 hours in Indian aviation history.

FLIGHTRADAR24 DATA

Flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed AI 379’s dramatic path:

• Departed Phuket at 9:30 AM
• Made wide circular loop over Andaman Sea
• Returned to Phuket after approximately one hour
• Standard protocol to avoid populated areas during bomb threats

PASSENGER TERROR

There was panic when the announcement was made,” a passenger revealed, describing the tense moments aboard the aircraft before landing.

The passenger confirmed that cabin crew quickly followed emergency protocols, instructing passengers to remain seated and composed.

INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED

Thai authorities are now investigating the bomb threat while Air India has remained silent on the incident.

The airline has not responded to media queries about the threat, Reuters reported.

EPIDEMIC OF HOAX THREATS

The incident adds to a disturbing trend:

• Indian airlines received nearly 1,000 hoax bomb threats in 2024
• This represents a 10-fold increase from 2023
• Most threats received via text messages and phone calls
• Friday’s incident marks first major threat of 2025

CRASH INVESTIGATION

Meanwhile, investigators are still piecing together what caused Thursday’s catastrophic crash:

Key findings so far:

• Aircraft reached maximum altitude of just 625 feet
• Landing gear was still down when it should have been retracted
• Crashed into BJ Medical College hostel cafeteria
• Captain had 8,200 hours experience, co-pilot had 1,100 hours

SOLE SURVIVOR’S MIRACLE

The only survivor of Thursday’s crash, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was sitting in seat 11A next to an emergency exit.

He told Indian media he heard a loud noise shortly after takeoff before the catastrophe unfolded.

BOEING’S NIGHTMARE

The crash marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, adding to the manufacturer’s recent woes.

Boeing President Kelly Ortberg said: “Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the crash scenes “devastating,” noting many British nationals were on board.

The UK Foreign Office arranged crisis teams in both Delhi and London to assist families.

AIR INDIA’S RESPONSE

The airline has:

• Changed all social media profiles to black
• Organized relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai for families
• Tata Group (owner) pledged support for victims’ families
• Suspended all marketing activities

AVIATION SAFETY CONCERNS

The double blow raises serious questions about Indian aviation safety:

• Last major crash was in 2020 (21 deaths)
• Boeing 787 previously had clean safety record
• Bomb threats increasing exponentially
• Infrastructure struggling with rapid growth

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

As investigators probe both incidents:

For the bomb threat:

• Thai police investigating the written threat
• Aircraft being thoroughly searched
• Passengers being interviewed
• Security protocols under review

For the crash:

• Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau leading probe
• Black boxes being analyzed
• Witness testimonies being collected
• Boeing team assisting investigation

TRAVEL CHAOS

The twin incidents have caused widespread disruption:

• Multiple airlines avoiding Indian airspace
• Increased security checks at all airports
• Passenger confidence severely shaken
• Insurance premiums expected to rise

THE HUMAN COST

As families mourn 241 lost souls and passengers recover from Friday’s terror, India’s aviation industry faces its darkest hour.

The image of smoke rising from Ahmedabad and passengers evacuating in Phuket will haunt Indian aviation for years to come.

Air India, once the pride of Indian aviation, now faces an existential crisis of confidence as investigators work to prevent further tragedies.