An Air India flight en route to New Delhi was forced to make an emergency landing in Phuket on Friday morning, after a bomb threat note was discovered onboard.
Flight AI 379 had just taken off from Phuket International Airport when a crew member found a handwritten message in one of the aircraft’s lavatories. The note, containing a bomb threat, immediately prompted the pilot to alert air traffic control and request an emergency return.
The Airbus A320, carrying 156 passengers and crew, landed safely back in Phuket at around 11:30 a.m. Emergency crews were on standby as the aircraft taxied to a remote stand. All passengers were evacuated calmly and safely, with no injuries reported.
Bomb squads and airport security teams carried out a full inspection of the plane. After several hours of thorough checks, no explosive device was found. Authorities later confirmed the threat was a hoax.
Three passengers were briefly questioned based on initial investigations, but no one has been charged, and the case remains under review. Forensic teams are examining the note for fingerprints and handwriting analysis to help identify the source.
Air India arranged a replacement aircraft, and by late afternoon, passengers resumed their journey to New Delhi. The airline issued a statement thanking the passengers for their cooperation and confirming that it is working closely with both Thai and Indian authorities to assist in the investigation.
This incident is part of a growing pattern. Indian airlines have seen a sharp rise in fake bomb threats this year, with nearly 1,000 reported cases so far in 2025 — a dramatic increase compared to previous years.
It also comes just one day after a tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed more than 240 lives. While officials stress there is no connection between the two events, concerns over aviation safety have been heightened.
Phuket International Airport remained fully operational throughout the incident, and authorities praised the swift response of the crew and emergency teams in ensuring everyone’s safety.
