India’s Civil Aviation safety body reassures public following series of fake bomb threats affecting air travel
In a recent turn of events, India’s aviation industry faced a significant disruption due to a series of at least 70 bomb threats that were ultimately deemed fake. Despite the lack of credible threats, the incidents led to the diversion of flights to countries like Canada and Germany. In some instances, fighter jets were even deployed to escort aircraft in Britain and Singapore.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) in India convened with airline CEOs in New Delhi to review protocols in response to bomb threats. The BCAS, along with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), are set to issue new guidelines to enhance the handling of such threats within the aviation sector.
Zulfiqar Hasan, Director General of BCAS, stated, “Indian skies are absolutely safe. The current protocol is robust and strictly adhered to. We reassure passengers that they should fly without fear and, in fact, increase their trust in air travel.”
The threats, originating mainly on social media platforms, emerged throughout the week, causing disruptions and financial losses to airlines. Over 30 threats were lodged on a single day, leading to delays and diversions for various carriers, including IndiGo, Akasa, Vistara, and Air India Express.
Investigations revealed that a significant portion of the threats stemmed from an unverified and anonymous account on a social media platform. Around 70% of the threats were linked to this single source, which targeted both domestic and international flights of Indian carriers.
Efforts to trace the perpetrators have been challenging due to the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) to mask their identities. Authorities are collaborating with social media platforms and VPN service providers to track down those responsible for the threats.
Despite the disruptions caused by these incidents, the aviation sector remains determined to ensure the safety and security of passengers. One individual, a 17-year-old boy, was arrested in connection with issuing multiple threats through social media accounts. Authorities have promised to prosecute all individuals involved in such activities to maintain the integrity of aviation operations.
As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on enhancing security measures and vigilance to prevent future disruptions and to maintain the confidence of the travelling public in the safety of air travel.