Air India Birmingham-New Delhi flight diverted to Riyadh after bomb threat; lands safely
New Delhi: Air India flight AI-114 from Birmingham to New Delhi received a bomb threat on Saturday, after which it was diverted to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely, Air India said on Sunday.
A spokesperson for the airline said the plane was thoroughly inspected and all the checks have been completed.
"Flight AI114 from Birmingham to Delhi on June 21 received a bomb threat and was consequently diverted to Riyadh, where it landed safely and completed security checks," Air India spokesperson said.
Earlier, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Patna was diverted to Varanasi due to adverse weather conditions.
An airline spokesperson said that Air India Express flight IX1014 from Delhi (DEL) to Patna (PAT) on 21 June 2025 was diverted to Varanasi (VNS).
"Due to adverse weather conditions, one of our flights to Patna was diverted briefly to Varanasi. When the weather improved, the flight resumed and landed in Patna. We regret the delay caused by circumstances beyond our control," the spokesperson said.
On Friday, Air India cancelled several international and domestic flights due to increased aircraft checks, bad weather, and airspace restrictions. Affected flights include services between Dubai, Chennai, Delhi, Melbourne, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
According to an Air India's statement, "Air India's international flights AI906 from Dubai to Chennai; AI308 from Delhi to Melbourne; AI309 from Melbourne to Delhi; AI2204 from Dubai to Hyderabad and domestic flights AI874 from Pune to Delhi; AI456 from Ahmedabad to Delhi; AI-2872 from Hyderabad to Mumbai and AI571 from Chennai to Mumbai have been cancelled due to enhanced maintenance and operational reasons."
The airline has offered full refunds or free rescheduling and is helping passengers with alternate travel plans. "We regret the inconvenience caused to passengers. Our colleagues on ground are making alternative arrangements for them to fly to their respective destinations at the earliest. Full refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling has been offered to passengers," it said.
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Times of Oman
13 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Air India Birmingham-New Delhi flight diverted to Riyadh after bomb threat; lands safely
New Delhi: Air India flight AI-114 from Birmingham to New Delhi received a bomb threat on Saturday, after which it was diverted to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely, Air India said on Sunday. A spokesperson for the airline said the plane was thoroughly inspected and all the checks have been completed. "Flight AI114 from Birmingham to Delhi on June 21 received a bomb threat and was consequently diverted to Riyadh, where it landed safely and completed security checks," Air India spokesperson said. Earlier, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Patna was diverted to Varanasi due to adverse weather conditions. An airline spokesperson said that Air India Express flight IX1014 from Delhi (DEL) to Patna (PAT) on 21 June 2025 was diverted to Varanasi (VNS). "Due to adverse weather conditions, one of our flights to Patna was diverted briefly to Varanasi. When the weather improved, the flight resumed and landed in Patna. We regret the delay caused by circumstances beyond our control," the spokesperson said. On Friday, Air India cancelled several international and domestic flights due to increased aircraft checks, bad weather, and airspace restrictions. Affected flights include services between Dubai, Chennai, Delhi, Melbourne, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. According to an Air India's statement, "Air India's international flights AI906 from Dubai to Chennai; AI308 from Delhi to Melbourne; AI309 from Melbourne to Delhi; AI2204 from Dubai to Hyderabad and domestic flights AI874 from Pune to Delhi; AI456 from Ahmedabad to Delhi; AI-2872 from Hyderabad to Mumbai and AI571 from Chennai to Mumbai have been cancelled due to enhanced maintenance and operational reasons." The airline has offered full refunds or free rescheduling and is helping passengers with alternate travel plans. "We regret the inconvenience caused to passengers. Our colleagues on ground are making alternative arrangements for them to fly to their respective destinations at the earliest. Full refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling has been offered to passengers," it said.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
Several Air India flights cancelled due to maintenance, bad weather, and airspace restrictions
New Delhi: Air India has cancelled several international and domestic flights on Friday due to increased aircraft checks, bad weather, and airspace restrictions. Affected flights include services between Dubai, Chennai, Delhi, Melbourne, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. As per the statement from Air India, "Air India's international flights AI906 from Dubai to Chennai; AI308 from Delhi to Melbourne; AI309 from Melbourne to Delhi; AI2204 from Dubai to Hyderabad and domestic flights AI874 from Pune to Delhi; AI456 from Ahmedabad to Delhi; AI-2872 from Hyderabad to Mumbai and AI571 from Chennai to Mumbai have been cancelled due to enhanced maintenance and operational reasons." The airline has offered full refunds or free rescheduling and is helping passengers with alternate travel plans. "We regret the inconvenience caused to passengers. Our colleagues on ground are making alternative arrangements for them to fly to their respective destinations at the earliest. Full refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling has been offered to passengers," the statement reads. The airline has advised passengers to check their flight status on its website or call the customer care numbers for updates. "Due to the continuing enhanced checks on our aircraft, airspace restrictions and inclement weather, we anticipate some disruptions which will be duly communicated to passengers. Passengers are requested to check the status of their flights here or call our customer centre on 011 69329333, 011 69329999 or visit our website the statement further reads. Earlier on Thursday, Air India said it will reduce flights on various international routes per week and temporarily suspend operations on three routes from June 21 to July 15, 2025. "Further to the press statement released yesterday, 18 June 2025, which announced a temporary reduction in services operated by Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft, we wish to provide details on the flights affected. These reductions will be effective from 21 June 2025, and last until at least 15 July 2025," the airline said in a post on X. "The reductions arise from the decision to voluntarily undertake enhanced pre-flight safety checks, as well as accommodate additional flight durations arising from airspace closures in the Middle East. The objective is to restore schedule stability and minimise last-minute inconvenience to passengers," it said.
Times of Oman
15-06-2025
- Times of Oman
On the right track: Indian Railways accelerates modernisation drive with Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
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Some of the key features of this modernisation effort include world-class amenities such as executive lounges, air-conditioned waiting areas, retail outlets, and food courts, improved accessibility with escalators, lifts, foot overbridges, and provision for the differently-abled, sustainable architecture, featuring solar panels, water recycling systems, and green cover, and multimodal integration to ensure smooth connectivity between railways and other forms of public transport. Notably, railway stations such as Rani Kamalapati (formerly Habibganj) in Bhopal and Gandhinagar Capital in Gujarat have already emerged as models of what the future holds. These stations showcase architectural elegance combined with cutting-edge facilities, standing toe-to-toe with international counterparts. Digitisation and smart services Alongside infrastructure upgrades, Indian Railways is also embracing digital transformation at an unprecedented scale. 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Freight corridors and logistics innovation Passenger amenities are just one part of the picture. The Indian Railways is also undergoing a parallel transformation in its freight operations. The Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC)—Eastern and Western—are designed to decongest passenger lines and dramatically improve freight efficiency. These corridors are equipped with modern signalling systems and allow for longer, faster, and heavier trains to move bulk goods across vast distances with reduced turnaround times. As a result, logistics costs for Indian industry are expected to drop significantly, boosting the country's global trade competitiveness. Complementing this is the rise of Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals, enabling public-private partnerships in logistics. These multimodal hubs facilitate seamless movement of goods by integrating railways with roadways, ports, and air cargo systems. Focus on sustainability Modernisation is being pursued with a strong emphasis on green goals. Indian Railways has set a target to become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030 — a bold move for an enterprise of its size and scale. To achieve the goal, Indian Railways has electrified more than 85% of broad-gauge routes, drastically cutting diesel dependence, and has adopted solar energy across railway premises and operations. From installing solar panels on station rooftops to introducing energy-efficient LED lighting systems, the Indian Railways is firmly committed to sustainable practices. Skilling and employment generation As it evolves, the Indian Railways continues to honour its legacy as a massive employment generator. The modernisation push is creating new opportunities for engineers, architects, technicians, data scientists, and service personnel. It is also spawning ancillary industries such as construction, manufacturing, and digital services. Railway training institutes across India are being upgraded to impart modern skill sets, including digital literacy, AI, and automation. The integration of advanced technologies is encouraging a cultural shift in how the railways operate — blending traditional values with future-ready innovation. Bringing India closer together Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this transformation is its inclusive reach. Stations in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities — often overlooked in earlier development phases — are now receiving significant attention under the Amrit Bharat vision. Whether it is Puri in Odisha, Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, or Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, the focus is on pan-India development, bridging the urban-rural divide. By enhancing last-mile connectivity and uplifting infrastructure in remote regions, the Indian Railways is playing a pivotal role in national integration and equitable development. A national renaissance on rails As India steps confidently into its Amrit Kaal — the era leading up to its 100th year of independence in 2047 — the Indian Railways stands as a symbol of both continuity and change. With the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme as its flagship initiative and a series of transformative projects in its stride, the Railways is laying the tracks for a future that is sustainable, efficient, inclusive, and proudly Indian.
