Bomb Threat Forces Air India Flight to Divert to Riyadh; Another Flight Redirected Due to Weather
New Delhi, June 22, 2025 – Air India encountered two major disruptions involving both international and domestic flights over the weekend. One of its international flights had to be diverted due to a security alert, while another domestic flight was rerouted because of unfavorable weather conditions.
A long-haul flight operating from Birmingham to New Delhi on June 21, designated AI-114, had to make an unscheduled landing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia following a bomb threat received mid-flight. As a precaution, the aircraft was directed away from Indian airspace and brought safely to the Saudi capital, where all security protocols and inspections were carried out thoroughly.
Airline authorities confirmed that the safety of all passengers was ensured, and detailed security checks found no actual threat on board. Air India later announced that the aircraft had been cleared after complete verification.
In a separate incident on the same day, Air India Express flight IX1014, traveling from Delhi to Patna, was diverted to Varanasi due to bad weather conditions in Patna. The flight had to be temporarily grounded in Varanasi for safety reasons. Once the weather improved, the journey resumed, and the flight reached its intended destination without further issues.
The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience, stating that such actions were necessary to safeguard passengers and crew. “Delays and diversions, though inconvenient, are crucial when faced with circumstances beyond our control,” said an Air India representative.
Meanwhile, Air India also cancelled multiple flights on Friday, citing a combination of weather-related challenges, heightened safety inspections, and operational requirements.
These incidents highlight the airline’s commitment to maintaining passenger safety despite operational hurdles, with all necessary steps being taken to respond swiftly to emergencies and ensure secure travel.
