The Boeing 777 aircraft of Air India was overflying UK airspace when the pilots were informed about the bomb threat to the aircraft. Air India’s non-stop flight from Mumbai to Newark was forced to divert and land in London Stansted after it received a bomb threat on Thursday. The flight departed Mumbai about three hours late at 4.50 am (IST) and was to land in Newark around 9 am (local US time).
The flight changed course at 2 pm (IST) and landed in Stansted around 3 pm (IST). A statement from Air India is awaited.
Britain scrambled Typhoon fighters at supersonic speed to intercept the Boeing 777-337 and safely escorted it to Stansted which briefly closed its runway.
London Stansted is UK’s designated airport for dealing with aviation security situations because of its close proximity to RAF (Royal Air Force) bases.
Air India operates flights out of London Heathrow. AI team from Heathrow is currently on its way to Stansted. Meanwhile, the aircraft has been parked in a remote bay under the surveillance of security agencies at Stansted, said a source.
AI’s non-stop flight from Mumbai to Newark divert, land in London Stansted after bomb threat
