IndiGo flight 6E-5188, which was operating from Chennai to Mumbai, received a bomb threat shortly after landing at Mumbai Airport. The pilots of the A321 neo aircraft had been less than 40 kilometers away from their destination when they informed air traffic control of the threat.
Upon landing safely at 8:47 am, the aircraft was immediately attended to by the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, who conducted a thorough search. Fortunately, no bomb was found on board.
IndiGo has officially acknowledged the bomb threat incident on flight 6E 5188 from Chennai to Mumbai.
"IndiGo flight 6E 5188 operating from Chennai to Mumbai had received a bomb threat post landing in Mumbai. All necessary protocols were followed and the aircraft was taken to a remote bay as per guidelines by airport security agencies. Post completion of all security checks, the aircraft will be positioned back to the terminal area," IndiGo reportedly said in their statement.
Following the incident, the aircraft was moved to a remote bay at the airport, adhering to standard security protocols and guidelines set by airport security agencies. The situation necessitated the activation of emergency procedures, including the evacuation of the building and alerting authorities. As per standard in-flight emergency response, the pilots would have prioritized communication with air traffic control and possibly altered their flight level for safety.
Last year, an IndiGo flight bound for Bengaluru from Kochi airport faced a serious security situation when a bomb threat call was received. The flight in question, 6E6482, was preparing for takeoff at approximately 10:30 AM when the alarming call came through. In response to the potential danger, all 139 passengers, including an infant, were promptly deboarded from the aircraft as a precautionary measure.
Authorities took immediate action to ensure the safety of all involved. The aircraft was moved to an isolation bay to undergo a thorough inspection. The Nedumbassery police confirmed the receipt of the bomb threat and dispatched a team to investigate the matter. A specialized bomb squad, along with state police and security department personnel, were called to the scene.
The passengers were relocated to a secure area while their baggage underwent re-screening. By around 1 PM, the re-screening process was completed, and thankfully, nothing suspicious was found. Despite the disruption and concern, the incident turned out to be a false alarm.
Also Read: Lok Sabha elections 2024: AAP offers 1 seat to Congress, says 'keeping in mind dharma of alliance'