Delhi-Birmingham Flight Receives Bomb Threat, Diverted To Riyadh: Air India

Days after the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the Air India flight AI114 from Birmingham to Delhi received a bomb threat and was consequently diverted to Riyadh, where it has landed safely and has completed security checks. The airline spokesperson said that all the passengers have been deplaned and are being provided hotel accommodation. 

The spokesperson of the aircraft also said that they have undertaken enhanced pre-flight safety checks and a temporary reduction of services to uphold its commitment to safe operations, and it will improve stability and minimise last-minute inconvenience to passengers. 

The spokesperson further added that despite efforts and due to extraneous factors such as airspace closures in the Middle East, nighttime curfews at several airports in Europe and East Asia, and air traffic congestion and unforeseen operational issues, certain flights get delayed or cancelled.

“We notify passengers ahead of time to reduce inconvenience in case of planned delays or cancellations, but sometimes, certain challenges lead to last-minute disruptions,” the spokesperson of Air India further added.

“Inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption is sincerely regretted. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly the passengers to their destinations,” the airline spokesperson further added. 

Ahmedabad plane crash

A total of 247 victims of the horrific June 12 Ahmedabad plane crash have been identified through DNA tests so far, and 232 bodies have been handed over to their families, officials said on Saturday. The authorities have asked the families of eight victims to submit the DNA samples of another relative, as the previous ones failed to match, they said. 

Police said the matching of DNA samples confirmed that Ahmedabad-based filmmaker Mahesh Jirawala, who was reported missing following the crash, died in the catastrophe. His mortal remains were handed over to his family. In Maharashtra, relatives and friends gave an emotional farewell to Deepak Pathak and Irfan Shaikh – two crew members of the ill-fated flight – at Badlapur in Thane district and in Pimpri-Chinchwad near Pune city respectively.

The London-bound aircraft crashed into a hostel complex in Meghaninagar moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.39 pm that day, killing 270 persons, including 241 on board. One passenger survived. 

(With inputs from PTI.)

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