Indian airlines hit by nearly 1,000 hoax bomb threats
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India’s aviation sector is grappling with a sharp rise in hoax bomb threats, with nearly 1,000 threats received by airlines and airports as of November 14, 2024. This marks an alarming increase in such incidents, with the number of threats nearly 10 times higher than the previous year, according to India’s deputy civil aviation minister, Murlidhar Mohol. Of these, more than 500 hoaxes were reported in the final two weeks of October alone, causing significant disruptions to flight schedules across the country.
The surge in bomb threats has led to widespread chaos, delaying numerous flights and diverting others. However, Mr. Mohol assured that these threats were all hoaxes, with no actual bombs found at any airports or aircraft. Despite the lack of real danger, the hoaxes have caused major operational disruptions, with flights being delayed, cancelled, or rerouted as a precautionary measure.
As of now, 256 complaints have been filed with the police, and authorities have arrested 12 individuals in connection with the threats. This uptick in hoax threats is unprecedented, as previous years saw far fewer incidents. Between 2014 and 2017, Indian authorities recorded just 120 bomb hoax alerts, with nearly half of them directed at Delhi and Mumbai, the country’s busiest airports. The latest spate of threats has prompted serious concerns from both domestic and international aviation authorities.
The October hoax threats, in particular, caused major disruptions, not only affecting flights within India but also impacting international travel. For example, an Air India Express flight was escorted by two Singapore Air Force fighter jets after a bomb threat was made. Similarly, an Air India flight traveling from New Delhi to Chicago was forced to make an emergency landing in Canada due to a bomb threat. Passengers on the diverted flight were subsequently airlifted to Chicago by the Canadian Air Force. These incidents highlight the international ramifications of such hoaxes and the need for heightened coordination between countries in addressing these threats.
India’s civil aviation ministry has stressed that it is doing everything possible to ensure the safety and security of flight operations. The country’s airports are equipped with a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee, which evaluates the seriousness of each threat and determines the necessary response. The standard procedure in the event of a bomb threat involves evacuating passengers from the affected aircraft, along with their baggage, and conducting thorough screenings. Security and engineering teams inspect the aircraft, and bomb disposal squads, sniffer dogs, and ambulances are brought in as necessary to ensure the area is safe before the flight is cleared to resume.
The response to these threats often leads to significant delays, with airlines incurring heavy costs. According to experts, such delays can amount to thousands of dollars in damages, not only for the airlines but also for the security agencies involved. India’s vast domestic air travel network is particularly vulnerable to these disruptions. Last year, over 150 million passengers flew domestically within the country, which operates more than 150 airports, including 33 international airports. Every day, more than 3,000 flights depart or arrive from these airports, underscoring the scale of the challenge.
Despite the measures in place, the frequency of hoax bomb threats raises concerns about the effectiveness of existing security protocols and the growing trend of such incidents. The rise in hoaxes is believed to be linked to various factors, including heightened global security concerns, the use of social media to spread false information, and potentially malicious intent from individuals seeking attention or creating chaos.
In response to the increasing number of hoax threats, authorities are calling for more stringent monitoring of security procedures, along with increased public awareness to prevent false reports. With the airline industry under immense pressure from these disruptions, there is growing recognition that further investments in security infrastructure and better coordination among agencies are crucial to handling the growing threat of hoaxes effectively.
As the number of hoax bomb threats continues to climb, both the aviation industry and government authorities in India face significant challenges in ensuring the safety and smooth operation of flights. With millions of passengers relying on air travel every year, addressing the issue of hoax threats is becoming an increasingly urgent priority for the nation’s civil aviation sector.
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