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Vistara Flight Denied Afghan Airspace
Vistara Flight Denied Afghan Airspace Amid Bomb Threat
Bomb Threat Disrupts Vistara Flight
New Delhi: A Frankfurt-bound Vistara flight was forced to return to New Delhi on Sunday after being denied access to Afghan airspace due to a reported bomb threat, according to sources. The flight, UK25, which typically flies over Pakistan, Afghanistan, and several other countries en route to Germany, had to alter its course following the refusal from Afghan authorities. Operated using a Boeing 787 aircraft, the flight had more than 240 passengers onboard at the time.
Non-Specific Bomb Threat Identified
Sources informed PTI that the bomb threat was classified as “non-specific,” meaning there was no direct indication of an immediate threat. Initially, the decision was made to continue the flight’s journey to Frankfurt, despite the security concern. However, the Afghan authorities refused to permit the plane to use its airspace, citing safety precautions due to the threat, as per the sources.
Flight Returns Safely to Delhi
After being denied permission to overfly Afghanistan, the Vistara flight turned back to Delhi and landed safely at approximately 1620 hours. It had originally taken off from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at around 1310 hours. Vistara confirmed the incident in a social media post, noting, “Flight UK25 from Delhi to Frankfurt (DEL-FRA) is returning back to Delhi (DEL) and is expected to arrive in Delhi (DEL) at 1620 hours.” There was no immediate official comment from the airline regarding the specifics of the bomb threat.
Previous Bomb Threat Incidents
This incident occurred amidst a series of bomb threats targeting flights in the region. Earlier in the day, Vistara reported that it had received security alerts for six flights, including the UK25 route. Although these threats have so far turned out to be hoaxes, each situation has required swift security assessments to ensure passenger safety. In total, around 100 flights have received similar threats in the past week, according to industry sources.
Flight Path Altered Due to Security Concerns
The Vistara flight’s journey was closely monitored on Flightradar24.com, which showed that the aircraft circled over Pakistan’s airspace and briefly entered Afghan airspace before making the decision to return to Delhi. Ordinarily, the route from Delhi to Frankfurt passes through Afghanistan and Pakistan, but the bomb threat necessitated a deviation from standard procedures. Such situations underscore the complexities airlines face when navigating airspace in volatile regions.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from sources and official statements regarding the incident involving the Vistara flight bomb threat. It aims to provide an overview of the events and security measures taken in response. Readers are advised to refer to verified updates from aviation authorities and the airline for the most accurate information.
