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.
The safety and security of Indian flights was put at risk this past week as over 70 flights have received bomb threats, with 10 being targeted in India over the weekend. IndiGo Airlines confirmed its awareness of the situation, with one of its flights receiving a threat while en route from Mumbai to Istanbul. The government has been closely monitoring the situation and a suspect responsible for issuing threats to three flights has been arrested.
After a bomb threat forced a flight from Bengaluru to Jamnagar to make an emergency landing, authorities launched an investigation and found no explosives on the aircraft. Meanwhile, coach Anup Sridhar believes that badminton star Sindhu still has the potential to become a champion and could follow in the footsteps of Tine Baun. Despite facing challenges, Sindhu remains determined to excel at the top level.
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.
Vistara, a Mumbai-based Indian airline, has sent an alternative aircraft and new crew to fly the stranded passengers of its Mumbai-Frankfurt flight after it was diverted to Turkey due to a bomb threat. The flight was scheduled to arrive in Frankfurt at 5:30 PM local time but was delayed due to the incident. The substitute aircraft is expected to arrive at the Turkish airport at 12:25 PM and depart for Frankfurt by 2:30 PM local time.