Phuket-bound IndiGo flight diverted to Chennai over security threat onboard

The flight was forced to divert to Chennai after a bomb threat, which turned out to be a hoax. The flight will resume journey after all checks are over.

An IndiGo flight headed to Phuket from Mumbai had to divert to Chennai after an alleged bomb threat, which later turned out to be a hoax.

Owing to the night curfew at the Phuket airport, resumption of the journey has been scheduled for later in the night after all security checks are completed. (HT File photo for representation)

The flight 6E 1089 landed at the Chennai airport, and relevant authorities were informed immediately. The CISF personnel and officials at the airport who checked the flight found it to be a hoax. Further investigation was on, PTI reported quoting airport officials.

Owing to the night curfew at the Phuket airport, resumption of the journey has been scheduled for later in the night.

Officials reportedly said that efforts are being made to minimise inconvenience to passengers and they were being offered refreshments and updated on the latest developments. “As always, the safety and security of our customers, crew and aircraft is our topmost priority,” they added.

This incident comes nearly two days after another IndiGo flight disruption which was due to a technical snag, HT reported earlier, citing reports.

On September 11, as many as five IndiGo flights were diverted after a lightning strike damaged an aircraft navigation system at Raipur airport.

Hoax bomb threats on IndiGo flights

A little more than three months ago, a similar hoax bomb threat on an IndiGo flight forced one of its aircraft to ground at Nagpur, HT reported earlier.

A Delhi-bound IndiGo flight that took off from Kochi made an emergency landing in Nagpur after a bomb threat. The flight had arrived from Muscat and departed for Delhi at 9.31 am carrying 157 passengers and six crew members.

Following the receipt of the threat, a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was convened, and the threat was deemed "specific," officials at Cochin International Airport added.