Tuesday, October 22, 2024 Indian airlines have been hit by an unprecedented wave of hoax bomb threats, causing massive disruptions to domestic and international flights. Over the past week, around 90 bomb threats have targeted major carriers such as Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet, and IndiGo. International airlines, including American Airlines, JetBlue, and Air New Zealand, have also had flights diverted due to the threats.
The threats, primarily delivered via email and social media, have led to flight diversions, emergency landings, and rerouting, severely impacting India’s booming aviation sector. On Saturday alone, 30 threats were reported, prompting significant delays and financial losses for airlines. Planes have been escorted by fighter jets or forced to land in countries such as Turkey and Germany, with some flights turned back to India due to security concerns.
The Indian government has responded by introducing stricter penalties, including placing those responsible on a no-fly list. Authorities are working to trace the source of the threats and have made one arrest, though investigations are ongoing. Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu expressed grave concern over the situation, assuring that every effort is being made to protect passenger safety and operational integrity.
Air India, which has been subjected to multiple threats, emphasized that while all threats have proven to be hoaxes, the airline takes each one seriously and regrets the inconv.
