Ahmedabad: An Air India Express flight from Saudi Arabia’s Dammam to New Delhi had to land at Ahmedabad airport on Monday because of an alleged bomb threat, authorities said.
The Air India Express flight was diverted as a safety measure after a crew member found a piece of tissue in the lavatory with the word “bomb” written on it.
That discovery started security protocols. Caused the Air India Express flight to land in Ahmedabad, where officials began checking the aircraft for any possible explosive material.
Passengers safely deboarded
All 32 passengers on the Air India Express flight left the aircraft safely after the Air India Express flight landed, authorities said.
Security staff were checking the Air India Express aircraft after the threat. The incident is still under investigation, and officials have not confirmed whether any explosive device was found.
An Air India Express spokesperson said the airline diverted the Dammam-New Delhi flight to Ahmedabad after receiving a bomb threat.
The airline said the government‑appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was alerted and that security procedures were started.
“The flight landed, and all guests have been disembarked safely ” the spokesperson said.
The Air India Express aircraft will not return to service until the required security checks are finished, the airline said.
Investigation underway
Authorities are looking into where the alleged threat came from and whether it’s credible, including how the message ended up in the Air India Express aircraft’s lavatory.
This incident happened while airlines and airports keep security measures against potential threats. Bomb threats on aircraft are usually examined by specialised security teams, and flights are diverted or grounded when authorities decide more checks are needed.
For passengers, the Air India Express flight still had to go through security clearance after the emergency landing. Authorities have not said that any passengers or crew were hurt, and all passengers left the Air India Express aircraft safely.