Phuket International Airport witnessed an emergency landing today as an Air India flight, bound for New Delhi, was forced to return shortly after takeoff following a bomb threat. All 156 passengers and crew on board flight AI 379 were safely deboarded, and authorities immediately initiated a thorough security sweep of the aircraft.
The incident unfolded on Friday morning when the Air India flight departed Phuket at approximately 9:30 AM local time. According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the aircraft made a wide loop over the Andaman Sea before heading back to the Thai island. It was during this time that a bomb threat was reportedly discovered on board, prompting the pilot to declare an emergency and seek an immediate return to Phuket.
Upon receiving the alert, Phuket International Airport activated its comprehensive Airport Contingency Plan (ACP), deploying firefighters, police, and medical teams to the tarmac. Passengers were systematically and safely escorted from the plane as emergency protocols were strictly followed.
Initial investigations conducted by Thai authorities, including a preliminary search of the aircraft, have reportedly found no explosives or suspicious items. Officials have indicated that they are questioning the passenger who initially reported the threat. The Indian Embassy in Bangkok has confirmed that it is in close contact with Thai authorities regarding the incident.
This event comes just a day after a tragic Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed over 240 lives shortly after takeoff. While the two incidents are unrelated, they underscore the heightened focus on aviation safety. Indian airlines and airports have unfortunately seen a significant increase in hoax bomb threats in recent times, with nearly 1,000 such calls and messages reported in the first ten months of the previous year alone – a tenfold increase compared to the year before.
Air India has not yet issued a formal statement on the incident, and local Thai authorities are continuing their investigation into the origin and nature of the bomb threat. The swift and coordinated response by airport officials ensured the safety of all individuals on board, bringing a potentially perilous situation to a safe conclusion.