Air India Express Mumbai–Varanasi Flight Hit by Hoax Bomb Threat, Forces Quick Security Check

An Air India Express flight en route from Mumbai to Varanasi received a hoax bomb threat via email on November 12, 2025, prompting an immediate emergency landing and full-scale security protocols at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi. The threat, received between 3:40 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. IST while the aircraft was airborne, led to swift action from aviation authorities, including the activation of the government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee. Passengers and crew were safely evacuated upon touchdown, with the plane isolated in a designated bay for thorough inspection by a bomb disposal squad. This incident marks the latest in a string of aviation security scares in India, highlighting vulnerabilities in air travel amid rising hoax communications.

The airline confirmed that all standard procedures were followed without delay, ensuring no risks to those on board. An Air India Express spokesperson stated, "One of our flights to Varanasi received a security threat. In line with protocol, the government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee was immediately alerted, and all necessary security procedures were promptly initiated. The flight landed safely, and all guests have disembarked." No flight number or exact passenger count was disclosed, but reports indicate the aircraft carried a typical load for the short-haul route, with no injuries reported during the disembarking. Security teams conducted a comprehensive sweep, moving the plane to an isolation area to minimise disruptions to other operations at the busy Varanasi hub.

Following the inspection, the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee officially declared the alert a hoax, with no suspicious items or devices uncovered, allowing for the eventual release of the aircraft back into service after mandated clearances. This resolution underscores the efficiency of India's aviation security framework, though it caused temporary delays for connecting flights and heightened passenger anxiety. The email threat's timing, during peak afternoon operations, echoes a pattern seen in recent weeks, where anonymous messages have targeted multiple carriers to sow panic without substantive follow-through.

Also Read: Bomb Scare on IndiGo Flight from Jeddah to Hyderabad Turns Out to Be Hoax

In a broader context, this event coincides with a surge in similar false alarms across Indian airports, including a November 1 threat to an IndiGo flight from Jeddah to Hyderabad—diverted to Mumbai after claims of a 'human bomb'—and simultaneous emails to facilities in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, and Hyderabad on the same day. Authorities suspect coordinated efforts possibly linked to overseas sources, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to review threat intelligence sharing. While hoaxes rarely escalate, they strain resources and erode traveller confidence, with experts calling for stricter digital forensics to trace perpetrators. Air India Express has reaffirmed its commitment to safety, advising passengers to report suspicious activity promptly as investigations continue.

Also Read: Mumbai Airport Customs Seize 2 Gibbons, ₹7.97 Crore Hydroponic Marijuana in Twin Operations