Vistara Flight UK 28 Declares Emergency Over Bomb Threat During Frankfurt-Mumbai Route
Mumbai, 17th October 2024: The 20th bomb threat reported by Indian airlines in a single week involved a Vistara flight from Frankfurt to Mumbai, leading the pilot to declare a general emergency before safely landing at Mumbai airport early Thursday.
The flight, designated UK 28, was over Pakistan when it issued the emergency code 7700 at approximately 6 am (IST) on Thursday, landing in Mumbai around 7:40 am.
Earlier in the week, three international flights operated by Indian carriers received bomb threats on Monday, followed by ten on Tuesday, and at least six additional threats reported on Wednesday.
All threats were communicated via social media and were later determined to be false. Both major Indian carriers and smaller regional airlines were impacted by these incidents.
A spokesperson for Vistara confirmed that flight UK 028 faced a security threat that originated on social media. In line with established protocols, all relevant authorities were quickly notified.
The aircraft landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai and was directed to an isolation area, where passengers were safely disembarked.
The airline stated it is fully cooperating with security agencies to perform the required checks.
On October 14, an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Muscat also received a bomb threat just minutes before takeoff. The aircraft was taken to an isolated area, and security inspections were carried out, according to officials.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu expressed deep concern over these disruptive incidents. He condemned these “mischievous and unlawful” actions, emphasizing the risks they pose to the safety, security, and operational integrity of the aviation industry.
Naidu noted that Mumbai Police arrested a minor connected to bomb threats affecting three flights and assured that efforts are ongoing to identify and prosecute others involved in these incidents.
Additionally, on Wednesday, a Canadian Air Force aircraft transported stranded passengers from an Air India flight to Chicago after the flight was diverted to Iqaluit airport due to a bomb threat.
