Air India passengers arriving in New York from Mumbai on Saturday were delayed by a hoax bomb threat, adding to a string of false alarms the carrier has received this month.

More than 20 flights received bomb threats this week, leading to diversions and rescheduling of flights and sending security forces into a tizzy.

An Air India flight from Mumbai to London Heathrow has become the latest target for a string of hoax threats against Indian carriers. Flight AI129 was approaching the Essex coast after a nine-and-a-half flight from the Indian city. It appeared to be descending for a normal landing at Heathrow.