At least 20 flights in India have been disrupted by hoax bomb threats, causing chaos and confusion in the country’s aviation sector. The threats, predominantly issued via social media, have led to emergency diversions, evacuations, and delays, prompting swift responses from both passengers and aviation authorities.
The most recent incident involved a Vistara flight from Frankfurt to Mumbai, which was forced to make an emergency landing due to a threat. Similarly, an Air India flight bound for Chicago had to land in Canada, leaving over 200 passengers stranded for more than 18 hours. Another Air India flight from Mumbai to New York was rerouted to Delhi for security checks following a threat.
Indian security agencies are working tirelessly to investigate the series of threats, with a minor boy being arrested for allegedly issuing three hoax threats. Authorities are trying to identify a pattern behind the threats, suspecting a coordinated effort to disrupt the aviation sector and create panic.
The aviation minister, K Ram Mohan Naidu, assured the public that steps are being taken to address the situation and ensure the safety of passengers and smooth functioning of the aviation industry. He stated that those responsible for the disruptions will be identified and prosecuted.
In less than 24 hours, nine flights received bomb threats, bringing the total number of affected flights to 20 in just three days. Various airlines, including Vistara, Air India Express, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, were targeted, leading to emergency landings and security checks.
Authorities have ramped up security measures, with plans to increase the number of air marshals on flights from the current 35 to 100 to enhance passenger safety. The federal government is actively investigating the threats and is committed to ensuring the integrity of the aviation sector.
The incidents have raised concerns among passengers, airline staff, and government officials, highlighting the need for vigilance and swift action to prevent further disruptions in India’s air travel sector.