Aviation Voice: A Vistara flight, UK131 (A320 Neo), traveling from Mumbai to Colombo, experienced a bomb scare just 10 minutes before its scheduled arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on today, 19 October 2024. Authorities were alerted after the flight’s captain received a nonspecific threat, leading BIA to declare an emergency and initiate precautionary protocols.
The aircraft, carrying 96 passengers and 8 crew, landed safely at 14:49 hrs, slightly ahead of its scheduled time of 14:51 hrs. Passengers were swiftly evacuated to the terminal as a precaution, while officials from Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) coordinated with security teams to ensure the safety of all onboard.
Following thorough security checks, authorities confirmed there was no actual threat. BIA management commended the prompt response of all involved, reassuring the public that safety remained the highest priority during the incident.
This incident mirrors a troubling pattern of similar threats involving Indian airlines over the past week. A number of flights, including domestic and international routes, have reported bomb scares, triggering emergency responses. Fortunately, all these cases were determined to be hoaxes, but authorities remain on high alert.
