Air India’s flight to New York returns to Mumbai, Delhi-bound flight back to Chicago

An Air India Flight AI 119, travelling from Mumbai to New York, was returned on Monday after it received a potential security threat mid-air. The Boeing 777 aircraft was flying over Azerbaijan at 30,000 feet altitude when it changed course to divert to Mumbai, from where the flight originated. The aircraft with 303 passengers and 19 crew members landed back in Mumbai at 10.25 am.
After landing in Mumbai, bomb-detection procedures were carried out, but the threat was confirmed to be a hoax. The flight originally scheduled from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai to New York’s John F Kennedy Airport normally has a flying time of 15 hours.

Another Air India flight en route Delhi carrying over 300 passengers was forced to return to Chicago after 11 of its 12 toilets were found unfit for use.

Air India flight lands safely in Mumbai

“A potential security threat was detected mid-flight on AI 119 operating Mumbai-New York (JFK) today, 10 March 2025. After following the necessary protocols, the flight air-returned to Mumbai, in the interest of the safety and security of all on board. The flight landed safely back in Mumbai at 1025 Hrs (local time). The aircraft is undergoing mandatory checks by security agencies, and Air India is extending its full cooperation to the authorities,” an Air India spokesperson told ANI.

The flight has been rescheduled for March 11, Air India informed in an official statement. The carrier further assured that the safety of its passengers and crew is its highest priority.

Flight rescheduled

“The aircraft is undergoing mandatory checks by security agencies, and Air India is extending its full cooperation to the authorities. The flight has been rescheduled to operate at 0500 Hrs of 11 March 2025, and all passengers have been offered hotel accommodation, meals, and other assistance until then. Our colleagues on the ground are making sure to minimise the inconvenience caused to our passengers by this disruption. As always, Air India accords the highest priority to the safety of passengers and crew,” reads the statement by Air India.

Air India flight to Delhi returns to Chicago due to clogged toilets

Meanwhile, another Air India flight en route Delhi was forced to return to Chicago, United States after several of the plane’s toilets were found unfit for use. The Air India Flight 216 took off from Chicago but was forced to turn back after 11 of its 12 toilets were found to be clogged, reveals a report by the popular aviation website View From The Wing.

As per the report, the decision to turn back was made around four-and-a-half hours into the flight when the plane was flying over Greenland. The return took an equal amount of time, resulting in a 10-hour ordeal for passengers. Only one toilet was available to use for over 300 passengers onboard the flight.

“AI126, operating Chicago to Delhi on March 6, 2025, air-returned to Chicago due to a technical issue. Upon landing at Chicago, all passengers and crew disembarked normally and have been provided with accommodation to minimise inconvenience. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly the passengers to their destination,” a statement by Air India Spokesperson said.