New Delhi: Indian airlines received 70 bomb threats over a span of just six days. In response to this, officials from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) convened a meeting with the chief executive officers (CEOs) of the airlines in Delhi on Saturday.
During the meeting at the civil aviation ministry’s office, officials emphasised the importance of adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for managing bomb threats. These threats have led to inconveniences for passengers and financial losses for airlines.
30 bomb threats on October 19
On Saturday alone, more than 30 bomb threats were reported against various airlines. Investigators found that some threats originated from IP addresses in locations including London, Germany, Canada, and the United States.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that some people used virtual private networks (VPNs) to mask their true locations.
To address this surge in threats, the BCAS and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are expected to issue new guidelines for airlines on how to handle bomb threats.
Affected airlines
Several airlines, including Vistara, IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, Star Air and Alliance Air, have reported receiving threats. On Saturday, Vistara claimed that five of its international flights received security threats through X, while IndiGo had at least four flights receive similar alerts.
Akasa Air stated that some of its flights on October 19, had received security alerts, leading to the deboarding of passengers as local authorities conducted safety procedures.
Arrest of suspect
On Wednesday, Mumbai Police arrested a 17-year-old boy for allegedly issuing threats against four flights, including three international ones, on Monday. The teenager reportedly wanted to frame a friend over a financial dispute.
Authorities have registered over a dozen FIRs in connection with the threats. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said that initial investigations do not indicate a conspiracy, stating that many of the threats seem to have originated from minors and pranksters.
Naidu assured that steps are being taken to prevent such pranks in the future. The civil aviation ministry has conducted meetings with airlines and security agencies to discuss improved safety measures in light of the recent bomb threats.
