An IndiGo flight from Chennai to Mumbai, carrying 172 passengers and crew, was forced to make an emergency landing at Mumbai airport on Saturday due to a bomb threat. Flight 6E 5314 was en route to Mumbai when an unclaimed remote was found on board, prompting the pilots to alert Mumbai air traffic control and request an emergency landing.
The flight, which had departed Chennai at 6:50 am, landed safely in Mumbai at 8:45 am. Upon landing, a full-scale emergency response was initiated with fire tenders and ambulances on standby. The aircraft was directed to an isolated bay for security checks related to the bomb scare, and all passengers safely disembarked.
This incident marks the second bomb threat to an IndiGo flight within a week, following a similar threat on a flight from Delhi to Varanasi on May 28. In that instance, 176 passengers were evacuated through emergency exits at the Delhi airport. Video clips from the scene showed passengers and crew using inflatable slides to evacuate, with some even carrying cabin baggage, which is against safety protocols.
In response to the Delhi incident, IndiGo took action by derostering two pilots and cabin crew members for not adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) during the evacuation.
An IndiGo spokesperson provided the following statement: "IndiGo flight 6E 5314 operating from Chennai to Mumbai received a bomb threat. Upon landing in Mumbai, the crew followed protocol, and the aircraft was taken to an isolation bay as per security agency guidelines. All passengers have safely disembarked, and the aircraft is currently undergoing inspection. Post completion of all security checks, the aircraft will be positioned back in the terminal area."
The recent incidents highlight the security challenges faced by airlines and the swift response required to ensure the safety of passengers and crew during emergencies.
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