Indian flights disturbed-Goa-bound flight suffers delay after hoax bomb threat

A Goa-bound IndiGo flight carrying about 145 passengers from here was delayed on the runway for almost five hours on Monday after receiving a bomb threat just before takeoff, which authorities later confirmed to be a hoax.

According to official sources on Tuesday, the flight scheduled to depart at 5.40 pm was ready for departure, before “information was received regarding a bomb threat”.

Subsequently, bomb threat procedures were initiated. Personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force conducted thorough checks.

The prescribed security procedures were carried out, including the anti-sabotage check.

The threat was found to be a hoax after thorough searches, they said.

An Air India Express flight travelling from Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh to Bengaluru has reported a bird strike, but landed safely at Kempegowda International Airport here, official sources said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred on Monday, and 148 passengers were reportedly on board.

No injuries were reported for passengers or crew members, sources added.

As part of standard safety procedures, technical teams inspected the aircraft to see if there was any damage to it and its engines.

“Our Bhogapuram-Bengaluru flight reported a bird strike. The aircraft was inspected and has been declared serviceable. There has been no impact on our operations,” an Air India Express spokesperson said in a statement.