Air India Delhi-Birmingham Flight Diverted To Riyadh….

June 22, 2024: An Air India flight en route from Birmingham to Delhi was diverted to Riyadh on Saturday after receiving a bomb threat mid-flight, the airline confirmed in a statement on Sunday. The aircraft, operating as Flight AI114, landed safely in the Saudi Arabian capital, where it underwent comprehensive security checks.

All passengers were safely deplaned and are being accommodated in hotels while alternative travel arrangements are being made, according to Air India.

“Flight AI114 from Birmingham to Delhi of 21 June received a bomb threat and was consequently diverted to Riyadh where it has landed safely and has completed security checks. All passengers have been deplaned and are being provided hotel accommodation,” the airline stated.

The Tata Group-owned carrier, which has recently scaled back certain services to enhance operational stability, noted that the incident occurred amid broader challenges currently affecting global aviation. These include airspace restrictions in the Middle East, night curfews at various European and East Asian airports, air traffic congestion, and other unforeseen operational disruptions.

“Despite all efforts, due to extraneous factors… certain flights get delayed or cancelled,” the statement read.

This latest incident comes in the wake of a fatal crash involving an Air India aircraft in Ahmedabad on June 12, prompting the airline to voluntarily implement enhanced safety protocols and conduct additional pre-flight checks.

Air India reiterated that passenger safety remains paramount and assured that it is working closely with authorities to investigate the threat and minimize disruptions.