An Air India flight en route from Mumbai to New York made an emergency return to Mumbai eight hours after takeoff due to a mid-air security alert, which was later found to be a hoax.
The Boeing 777 aircraft, carrying 303 passengers and 19 crew members, was flying over Azerbaijan when the crew received a threat. Following standard safety protocols, the flight changed course and landed back at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 10:25 AM.
Upon landing, security agencies conducted thorough bomb-detection procedures, confirming that the alert was false.
The flight, AI-119, originally scheduled to reach John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after a 15-hour journey, has now been rescheduled to depart at 5:00 AM on March 11.
Air India issued a statement explaining the precautionary decision:
“A potential security threat was detected mid-flight on AI-119 operating Mumbai-New York (JFK) today, 10 March 2025. After following the necessary protocols, the flight returned to Mumbai in the interest of passenger and crew safety. The aircraft landed safely at 10:25 AM (local time).”
The airline assured passengers that all necessary checks were being carried out and that it was fully cooperating with security agencies.
“The aircraft is undergoing mandatory security inspections, and Air India is extending full support to the authorities. Meanwhile, passengers have been provided with hotel accommodations, meals, and assistance to minimize inconvenience. Safety remains our highest priority,” an airline spokesperson said.
With security clearance underway, the flight is now set to take off early the next morning.
