Delhi-Chicago flight diverted to Canada as bomb hoaxes disrupt operations for 2nd day
A Delhi-Chicago flight was diverted to Canada on Tuesday after a bomb threat forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing at Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Nova Scotia, marking the second consecutive day of disruption caused by hoax bomb threats.
The Air India flight AI-191, carrying over 200 passengers, was forced to divert its course following a call received by Canadian authorities about a potential threat on board. The flight departed from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and was scheduled to land at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Canadian authorities swiftly responded to the threat, putting in place emergency measures at the Halifax airport. Passengers were evacuated from the aircraft and screened for any suspicious items. However, after thorough checks, no explosives were found on board.
Following the safety protocol, the Halifax airport was temporarily shut down, disrupting flight operations for a period. Meanwhile, security personnel investigated the call and determined that the bomb threat was a hoax.
The diversion caused significant inconvenience for the passengers who had to endure a lengthy delay and were subjected to additional security checks. Air India issued a statement confirming the diversion and assuring passengers of their well-being.
“The safety and security of our passengers and crew are our top priority,” said the statement, highlighting the airline’s commitment to providing a safe and secure journey.
While investigations into the hoax threats are underway, security authorities are intensifying efforts to combat such malicious calls. It remains unclear whether these incidents are related and investigations are being conducted to identify the source of the hoax threats.
This incident comes as the aviation industry faces heightened security measures and concerns following recent terror attacks around the world. The series of bomb hoaxes, particularly targeting international flights, has raised serious concerns about the vulnerability of airlines and airport security protocols.
However, despite the disruptions caused by the bomb hoaxes, security officials emphasized that the aviation sector is committed to safeguarding passenger safety and taking all necessary measures to ensure secure air travel.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threats to air travel and highlights the need for vigilant security measures and constant efforts to thwart such incidents.
