Indian airlines, including Air India, Indigo, Vistara, and Akasa, have received 85 bomb threats in the last 24 hours, causing widespread concern and disruptions in flight schedules. These threats are being taken very seriously by authorities, as the safety and security of passengers is of utmost importance. The investigation into these bomb threats is ongoing, with officials working to determine the source and validity of the threats.
An increase in hoax bomb threats through social media have disrupted multiple flights of Indian airlines over the past few days. On Sunday, 24 flights received threats, with one flight being diverted and others declaring emergencies. The threats came from anonymous and unverified accounts, showing the potential dangers of using social media for false alarms. Despite most threats being considered fake, airlines and aviation authorities take them seriously, causing disruptions and financial losses for airlines. The affected airlines, including IndiGo, Akasa Air, Vistara, and Air India, confirmed the threats and followed security protocols with the relevant authorities.
In response to a recent surge in hoax calls about bombs on Indian flights, the Centre is contemplating amending The Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982. This would enable stricter measures to be taken against disruptors, whether they make the calls from inside the flight or on the ground. This move comes after more than 30 hoax calls were received by airlines in the past five days, leading to disruptions in services and concerns for passenger safety.
Hoax bomb threats continue to plague domestic airlines in India, with multiple flights receiving threats for the fourth consecutive day. Authorities have suspended or blocked about 10 social media handles for issuing these threats, while Air India and other airlines have taken necessary precautions to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu is looking into amending regulations for strict action against those responsible, as investigations have revealed the involvement of individuals, minors, and pranksters in these threats. The Royal Air Force was forced to escort one of the flights to its destination, and common phrases and words used in these fake threats have been identified by security agencies.
In a continued pattern, four days in a row now, domestic airlines have been facing bomb threats to their flights. Recently, two Vistara and two IndiGo flights received such threats. Following the protocol, the authorities were immediately informed, and all passengers were safely disembarked as the aircraft underwent extensive security checks. IndiGo did not disclose any further details and is cooperating with relevant authorities.
A Vistara flight from Frankfurt to Mumbai was subject to a bomb threat received on social media, causing the aircraft to make an emergency landing. The passengers were safely disembarked and the plane was taken to isolation for security checks. This incident adds to the growing number of hoax bomb threats received by Indian carriers in the past three days, with the government actively pursuing and prosecuting those responsible.
Mumbai Police have detained a 17-year-old boy from Chhattisgarh for creating a fake social media account and posting bomb hoax threats targeting three flights. The boy's motive was allegedly a financial dispute with a shopkeeper. While Mumbai Police have registered three FIRs in connection with the bomb threats, the DCP has clarified that the minor was not involved in any fresh threats issued on Tuesday.
In a series of false bomb threats to Indian airlines, a teenager, his father, and another person were issued a notice by the Mumbai police to join questioning. The threats, which were posted on social media platform X, targeted three international flights originating from Mumbai. Following investigations, the connection to these threats was traced to Rajnandgaon, and the authorities have taken legal action to prevent further misuse and ensure the safety of passengers and airport operations.