india

Updated: Jun 27, 2019 17:59 IST

The bomb threat on an Air India passenger aircraft flying to the United States on Thursday was a hoax, an official at the state-run airline told Reuters, adding that the plane is back in the air, reports Reuters.

A hoax call was received at Mumbai airport, the official said, adding that there is no security threat.

Earlier, an Air India Boeing 777 from Mumbai to Newark airport in the United States made an emergency landing in London Stansted airport on Thursday morning due to a ‘security threat’, the airline said.

Air India initially tweeted that a bomb threat had prompted the landing but later deleted it, calling the incident a ‘security threat’.

The flight was escorted by two Typhoons of the Royal Air Force and local residents said they heard a loud noise as the planes passed over their houses.

The airport said in a statement: “An Air India Boeing 777 diverted into London Stansted Airport at approximately 10:15 hrs and landed safely with Essex Police in attendance. It is parked on an isolated stand away from the normal airport operations.

“Our runway has now re-opened and is fully operational. We are very sorry for any delays and disruption caused by the incident, but our first priority is always the safety of passengers and staff”

The Ministry of Defence said the Royal Air Force scrambled fighter jets to escort the India passenger plane to London Stansted Airport.