Air India flight to New York returns to Mumbai after security threat

Air India Flight AI119, travelling from Mumbai to New York, was forced to return on Monday after a potential security threat was detected mid-flight.

Following the necessary protocols, the flight landed safely at 10:25 am local time. Air India said that the aircraft is currently undergoing mandatory checks by security agencies, and the carrier is fully cooperating with the authorities.

Air India assured that the safety of its passengers and crew is its highest priority.

The flight originally scheduled from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai to John F Kennedy Airport in New York, typically takes around 15 hours for the journey.

Carrying 303 passengers and 19 crew members, the Boeing 777 altered its flight path over Azerbaijan and returned to Mumbai. After landing, bomb-detection procedures were carried out, but the threat was later confirmed to be a hoax, sources reported.