Airlines Face 70 Bomb Threats in Six Days, Aviation Body Plans Tougher Measures
Indian airlines have faced an alarming surge in bomb threats, with over 70 incidents reported in just six days. On Saturday alone, more than 30 flights were targeted. In response, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) convened a meeting with airline CEOs in New Delhi to address the growing concern.
The meeting, held at the Civil Aviation Ministry’s office in Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, focused on ensuring that airlines strictly follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) for handling such threats. Airline executives were urged to keep all relevant stakeholders informed of any threats and the steps being taken to manage them, aiming to minimize inconvenience to passengers and financial losses to airlines.
Investigators have discovered that some of the internet protocol (IP) addresses linked to the threats originated from locations in London, Germany, Canada, and the U.S. However, officials suspect the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) to obscure the actual locations of the perpetrators.
Authorities, including BCAS and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), are expected to issue updated guidelines for airlines to better handle bomb threats moving forward. The threats, many of which have been hoaxes, began on Monday and have continued daily, leading to flight delays and diversions.
Several airlines were affected, including Vistara, which reported five international flights receiving security threats via social media. IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, Star Air, and Alliance Air were also impacted.
Akasa Air released a statement acknowledging that some of its flights on October 19, 2024, were subject to security alerts. Passengers were deplaned, and safety protocols were followed, with the airline expressing regret for the inconvenience caused.