An Air India flight travelling from Mumbai to New York returned eight hours after take-off after the crew received a threat. The Boeing 777 aircraft, with 303 passengers and 19 crew members on board, was flying over Azerbaijan when it changed course and returned to Mumbai. Following its landing, bomb-detection procedures were carried out. The threat alert was found to be a hoax. 

The flight took off from Mumbai around 2 in the morning and returned to Mumbai around 10.25 am. Flight number AI-119, from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai to John F Kennedy airport in New York, takes about 15 hours to complete the journey. The flight will now take off at 5 am tomorrow, Air India has said.

Air India said in a statement that the decision to return to Mumbai was taken after a potential security threat. It said the passengers have been provided accommodation, meals and other support. 

“A potential security threat was detected mid-flight on AI119 operating Mumbai-New York (JFK) today, 10 March 2025. After following the necessary protocols, the flight air-returned to Mumbai, in the interest of the safety and security of all on board. The flight landed safely back in Mumbai at 1025 Hrs (local time),” the airline said. 

“The aircraft is undergoing mandatory checks by security agencies, and Air India is extending its full cooperation to the authorities. The flight has been rescheduled to operate at 0500 Hrs of 11 March 2025, and all passengers have been offered hotel accommodation, meals, and other assistance until then. Our colleagues on the ground are making sure to minimise the inconvenience caused to our passengers by this disruption. As always, Air India accords the highest priority to the safety of passengers and crew,” an Air India spokesperson said.