Air India Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Arctic After False Bomb Threat

 

An Air India flight en route to Chicago made an emergency landing in Iqaluit, a remote city in the Arctic, due to a false bomb threat early Tuesday morning. The incident occurred shortly after Canada and India escalated diplomatic tensions, with both countries expelling senior diplomats.

The flight, carrying 211 passengers and crew members, was diverted to Iqaluit, located about 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, according to a statement by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Local reports indicated that the threat originated from India and was relayed to the flight’s captain.

Air India confirmed that the aircraft and passengers were being re-screened in accordance with established security procedures. The airline also stated that it had activated local agencies to support passengers until the flight could resume its journey.

The emergency landing took place amid growing tensions between Canada and India. Relations have been strained since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year.

This incident is not the only recent bomb threat involving Air India. Just a day earlier, an Air India flight from Mumbai to New York was diverted to Delhi after another false bomb scare. In addition, IndiGo, a low-cost Indian airline, reported bomb threats against two of its flights bound for Jeddah and Muscat.

Threats against Air India have raised concerns, particularly given the airline’s tragic history. In 1985, a bomb planted by Sikh extremists exploded aboard Air India Flight 182 off the coast of Ireland, killing 329 people, most of whom were Canadians. That attack remains the deadliest in Canadian history.

Canadian authorities, including the RCMP, are expected to provide further details about the latest threat and their ongoing investigation.

The incident serves as a reminder of the complex and sometimes dangerous geopolitical issues that continue to affect international travel, particularly in light of the increasing tensions between Canada and India.