New Delhi, Oct 22: On Monday night, 30 domestic and international flights operated by Indian airlines received bomb threats, according to sources. Airlines affected include IndiGo, Vistara, and Air India.
An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed that four of its flights received security-related alerts: 6E 164 (Mangaluru to Mumbai), 6E 75 (Ahmedabad to Jeddah), 6E 67 (Hyderabad to Jeddah), and 6E 118 (Lucknow to Pune). Fortunately, passengers from these flights were disembarked safely. The spokesperson stated, “We worked closely with the relevant authorities, and standard operating procedures were followed.”
An Air India spokesperson also acknowledged that some of its flights that operated on Monday faced security threats, which were reported on social media. “Following the laid-down protocols, relevant authorities were immediately alerted, and all security procedures were strictly adhered to, as per guidance from the regulatory authorities and security agencies,” the spokesperson said.
A Vistara spokesperson noted that a few of its flights received security threats on social media as well. “We immediately alerted the relevant authorities and are following all security procedures as directed by them,” the spokesperson stated.
In the past week alone, over 120 flights operated by Indian carriers have faced bomb threats. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu emphasized that while these threats are often hoaxes, they must be taken seriously.
In response to the increasing threats, the government is planning legislative measures to address bomb threats to airlines, including placing offenders on a no-fly list. Proposed amendments to The Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act (SUASCA), 1982, would allow for the arrest and investigation of perpetrators without a court order while an aircraft is on the ground. Additionally, changes to aircraft security rules are being considered to impose stricter penalties on those making bomb threats.
