Transport Air India Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Phuket After Bomb Threat

[Georgealbert]

 

File picture of the Airbus A320 Neo.VT-TQA

 

An Air India flight en route from Phuket to Delhi was forced to make an emergency landing on the morning of 13 June, after a bomb threat message was discovered during the flight.

 

Flight AI379, carrying 156 passengers, had departed from Phuket International Airport, at 09:30. The pilot reported the discovery of a suspicious message threatening a bomb on board. Upon receiving the alert, the captain immediately coordinated with aviation authorities and requested permission to return to Phuket.

Flight path courtesy of flightaware.
 

Airports of Thailand (AOT) were officially notified as the plane requested to return to Phuket. The Airport Contingency Plan (ACP), Bomb Threat Procedures, was promptly activated. Emergency response units were swiftly deployed as per established safety protocols.

Phuket International Airport officials confirmed the plane landed at 11:38 and the plane was moved to the designated secure area, Bay 99. All passengers were safely disembarked and transferred by bus, to a designated Passenger Holding Area at Gates 81–82.

 

Airport operations were continuing under heightened security. 

Aircraft parked for inspection at Phuket Airport.
 

A full inspection of the aircraft was initiated upon landing, with bomb disposal experts and emergency services on standby.

 

 
Video of aircraft on approach to Phuket Airport.

 

AOT stated that preparations had been made across all relevant departments to ensure a swift and safe response. Authorities are now investigating the origin and credibility of the threat.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-06-13

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

Video of the aircraft at Phuket Airport

 

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
No Bomb Found on Air India Flight in Phuket – One Passenger Declines to Continue Journey

 

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The Director of Phuket International Airport, Mr Monchai Tanon, has confirmed that no evidence of a bomb was found on board Air India flight AI 379, which was forced to make an emergency landing earlier today following the discovery of a threatening message mid-flight.

 

The aircraft, en route from Phuket to New Delhi, was diverted back to Phuket after a note suggesting a bomb threat was found in the aircraft’s lavatory. The Emergency Operation Center (EOC) instructed the plane to park at a designated isolated stand (Bay 99) to allow for a thorough investigation.

 

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel conducted detailed searches of all passengers, their belongings and the interior of the aircraft. No suspicious items or explosive materials were discovered.

Mr Monchai stated that authorities have been unable to determine who wrote the bomb threat message, as closed-circuit cameras are only installed in the front cabin of the aircraft and not in the lavatories, where the message was discovered. This lack of surveillance meant there was insufficient evidence to detain or prevent any passenger from continuing their journey.

 

The captain of the Air India flight opted to continue and proceed with the flight to New Delhi, following clearance from authorities. However, one passenger chose not to continue the journey and disembarked in Phuket. The aircraft finally departed again at16:28.

 

Officials have stressed that all necessary safety protocols were followed and there remains no ongoing threat related to the incident.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-13

 

 

 

[hotchilli]

Bomb treats must be taken seriously... some idiots out there still think it's a joke.

[newbee2022]

I'll never fly with this airline.

They coming down too often and unexpectedly

[webfact]

Bomb Threat Note Found on Air India Flight, Man Detained in Phuket

 

Picture courtesy of The Phuket News

 

An Indian passenger's erratic behaviour raised alarms on a Phuket to Delhi flight, sparking a bomb scare that led to an emergency landing. The Air India flight AI 379 was diverted back to Phuket International Airport yesterday morning after a bomb threat was discovered onboard, affecting 156 passengers.

 

The unnerving incident unfolded around 9.30 am on June 13 when a menacing note was found in the plane's lavatory. Responding swiftly, Thailand's Aeronautical Radio informed airport authorities, prompting the pilot to seek an urgent landing.

 

The airport's contingency measures saw the aircraft moved to a secluded area for safety as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team swept both passengers and luggage, finding no explosives.

 

The man at the centre of the commotion, 52-year-old Sanjay Bhartia, was detained for questioning. Airport staff had noted him displaying unusual behaviour at check-in.

 

Although Mr Bhartia was travelling alone, he conversed as if accompanied, further raising suspicions.

 

Thai authorities, aided by language support from the Phuket Tourist Assistance Centre, are rigorously examining the incident under the guidance of Police Colonel Akanit Danpitaksan and Sakhu Police Chief Pol. Col. Salan Tantisankun. Forensic experts have taken samples of Bhartia’s handwriting to compare with the bathroom threat note.

 

Meanwhile, a passenger and Phuket-based real estate and hotel business figure recounted the flight ordeal. “Everything seemed normal until the mid-air announcement of a technical issue. "It was only after hours of circling that we learnt about the bomb threat,” he detailed to The Phuket News.

 

Thankfully, no panic ensued, and the businessman continued his travel plans. The investigation into the threat continues, with authorities striving to ensure flight security and passenger safety. There were no injuries reported, and operations at Phuket International Airport have resumed as normal.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-14

 

 

[wensiensheng]

“The captain of the Air India flight opted to continue and proceed with the flight to New Delhi”

 

“Responding swiftly, Thailand's Aeronautical Radio informed airport authorities, prompting the pilot to seek an urgent landing.”

 

is it just me or are these two statements contradictory?

[riverhigh]

This self-absorbed piece of sh&t knew exactly what he was doing. Send a message from the toilet where there is no surveillance. Hope they find the culprit and jail hm for a long time. The high costs incurred from these escapades will be eventually passed down to the consumers.

[stevenl]

4 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

“The captain of the Air India flight opted to continue and proceed with the flight to New Delhi”

 

“Responding swiftly, Thailand's Aeronautical Radio informed airport authorities, prompting the pilot to seek an urgent landing.”

 

is it just me or are these two statements contradictory?

Yes, it's you. Read properly and you'll understand that after return to Phuket the flight went to New Delhi.

[wensiensheng]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

Yes, it's you. Read properly and you'll understand that after return to Phuket the flight went to New Delhi.

Although I notice that the article has now been edited to put the two moves into chronological order.

[Georgealbert]

28 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Although I notice that the article has now been edited to put the two moves into chronological order.

The articles are as they were posted. You quoted two different updates, with clearly different headings, about seperate stages of the developing incident.

[wensiensheng]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

The articles are as they were posted. You quoted two different updates, with clearly different headings, about seperate stages of the developing incident.

Good to know. 👍