Special Correspondent
Phuket : Panic gripped Thailand’s Phuket International Airport on Thursday morning after Air India flight AI-379, bound for Delhi, received a bomb threat shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, carrying 156 passengers, was forced to make an emergency landing back in Phuket. Fortunately, all passengers and crew members were evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported.
The Airbus A320 aircraft had departed from Phuket and was en route to New Delhi when the Phuket Air Traffic Control received an alert email from an unknown source claiming that a bomb was onboard the flight. At the time of the threat, the aircraft was flying over the Andaman Sea.
Upon receiving the threat, standard security protocols were immediately activated. The pilot, following safety procedures, avoided direct landing and circled over the sea to burn excess fuel—a precautionary measure to reduce fire hazards in the event of a blast or hard landing. Once the fuel level was low enough, the plane was brought back safely to Phuket International Airport.
As soon as the aircraft landed, it was surrounded by security forces including the airport security unit, local police, Thailand’s bomb disposal squad, and dog squads. Passengers were swiftly evacuated and relocated to a secure terminal zone. They were provided food, water, and basic medical assistance while security agencies conducted a thorough search of the aircraft.
Bomb detection units combed through the baggage and cabin areas for several hours, but no explosives or suspicious materials were found. The aircraft remains grounded for further forensic investigation.
Thai aviation authorities are closely coordinating with Indian agencies, including the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Indian Embassy in Bangkok. A cybersecurity probe has been initiated to trace the source of the email. Early indications suggest the threat may have originated from outside Thailand, but officials have not ruled out any possibility.
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation issued a statement confirming the safety of all passengers and stated that Air India is working on alternate travel arrangements for the affected flyers. The airline has also offered full cooperation to Thai authorities and ensured that passenger safety remains their top priority.
Air India, in an official release, stated, “The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is of utmost importance. All necessary procedures were followed in response to the threat. We thank the Thai authorities for their swift action.”
Indian Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is monitoring the situation and is in constant touch with Thai counterparts. He also commended the pilot and crew for their quick, calm response under pressure.
This incident comes just a day after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 near Ahmedabad, which has heightened concerns about aviation safety and potential sabotage. Security agencies are now also investigating any possible link between the two incidents.
