Air India Flight AI鈥114, en route from Birmingham to New Delhi on 21 June, was diverted to Riyadh after a bomb threat was received, the airline confirmed. The Boeing 787 landed without incident at King Khalid International Airport, where thorough security checks were completed and no explosive material was discovered.
The aircraft departed Birmingham at 20:26 local time and, during cruising altitude, was alerted to the threat. Riyadh was selected for its proximity and capacity to handle emergency diversions. All passengers were safely deplaned and accommodated in nearby hotels. Air India has arranged onward travel to New Delhi, expected within 24 hours.
An Air India spokesperson expressed regret for the disruption, emphasising that alternative arrangements were 鈥渂eing made to fly the passengers to their destinations鈥. The airline noted that such diversions follow stringent protocols designed to prioritise passenger and crew safety.
This incident comes shortly after a bomb threat forced another Air India flight鈥擜I鈥379 from Phuket to New Delhi鈥攖o return to Phuket airport on 13 June, when a note was discovered in a lavatory. On 21 June, AI鈥114 became the second threat-related diversion involving the airline within ten days.
These events unfold against a backdrop of operational recalibration by Air India. Following a fatal crash in Ahmedabad on 12 June, the airline has intensified pre鈥慺light safety protocols and temporarily reduced services to ensure operational stability. The carrier highlighted that its more than 1,100 daily flights serving over 150,000 passengers are subject to external constraints such as Middle Eastern airspace restrictions, night鈥憈ime curfews in Europe and East Asia, air traffic congestion and unforeseen operational challenges.
In the Riyadh diversion, global flight tracking platforms like Flightradar24 recorded AI鈥114鈥檚 deviation from its planned course after departing Birmingham, lending third鈥憄arty confirmation to Air India鈥檚 account. Saudi airport officials oversaw comprehensive sweeps of the aircraft, involving multiple security agencies, before granting clearance.
With two hoax threats in quick succession, industry experts warn of the burden such disruptions place on airline operations and passenger confidence. Security analyst Dr Imran Patel noted that repeated threats鈥攚hether credible or not鈥攏ecessitate complex risk鈥憁anagement decisions and can strain airport infrastructures and flight schedules. Counter鈥憈errorism specialist Sarah Mitchell added that 鈥渆ven hoax alerts require full activation of safety protocols, imposing financial and logistical costs鈥 on carriers.
Aviation authorities are expected to review the spate of alerts. Air India assured that each incident triggers coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, international security bodies and airport agencies. The aim is to refine pre鈥慺light screening and in鈥慺light monitoring systems, integrate intelligence sharing, and bolster crew preparedness.
Passengers on board AI鈥114 described a calm but tense atmosphere. One traveller recounted that cabin crew provided clear instructions and continuous updates, ensuring no panic ensued. No injuries were reported, and the airline confirmed that those affected will reach New Delhi via the next available flight.
The airline is also evaluating potential enhancements to onboard threat鈥慸etection tools, while airport partners are exploring faster-response inspection protocols. Regulatory sources say any additional measures will be announced soon, as part of an industry鈥憌ide effort to restore assurances after a string of safety鈥憆elated disruptions impacting long鈥慼aul carriers.