 "Over 15 fake bomb threats on flights in 3 days: How is the Centre planning to counter it?")
Tension continued to loom over Indian aviation for the third consecutive day as multiple flights received bomb threats on Wednesday.
At least six flights—three from IndiGo, two from SpiceJet, and one from Akasa Air—became the latest additions to the growing list of Indian airlines targeted for hoax bomb calls.
In total, the number of confirmed bomb threats to flights in India has surged to over 15 in the past three days, affecting thousands of passengers on these international and domestic carriers.
In light of this escalating situation, key government ministries, including the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) — and agencies have gone into a huddle, as per The Indian Express.
Here’s what we know has been discussed.
Over 15 bomb hoaxes in three days
Wednesday
On Wednesday, multiple flights faced bomb threats, including Akasa Air’s Delhi-Bengaluru service, two SpiceJet aircraft, and three IndiGo flights—Riyadh-Mumbai, Mumbai-Singapore, and Chennai-Lucknow. The threats were issued via the social media platform X.
The Akasa Air flight, designated QP 1335, diverted back to Delhi after declaring a general emergency less than an hour after departure, according to flight tracking data.
The flight was carrying 174 passengers including three infants and seven crew members.
The airline, via a statement, said the captain had followed all required emergency procedures, diverted the flight back to Delhi and landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport at 1.48 pm.
The other two IndiGo flights landed at their respective destinations, after which the aircraft, passengers, and baggage underwent mandatory security checks as per protocol.
Though SpiceJet did not provide specific details, sources told the Indian Express that the affected flights were SG 116 from Darbhanga to Mumbai and SG 124 from Leh to Delhi.
In response to these threats, Delhi Police has filed a First Information Report (FIR) and launched an investigation into the incidents.
Tuesday
On Tuesday, a series of bomb threats disrupted seven flights, causing significant diversions and delays. Notably, an Air India flight from Delhi to Chicago was forced to divert to Iqaluit, a remote Canadian town, as a precaution.
Additionally, an IndiGo flight from Dammam to Lucknow had to be redirected to Jaipur, while an Air India Express flight from Ayodhya to Bengaluru was held at Ayodhya airport for hours.
Other affected flights included SpiceJet’s SG116 from Darbhanga to Mumbai, an Akasa Air service from Bagdogra to Bengaluru (QP 1373), and an Alliance Air flight from Amritsar to Dehradun and Delhi (9I 650).
After a bomb threat was reported on an Air India Express flight (IX 684) from Madurai to Singapore, the Singapore Armed Forces scrambled two fighter jets to escort it away from populated areas.
The threats emerged on X, with authorities noting that came from the same account — @schizobomber777. The account has now been suspended.
Monday
Monday saw three different Indian flights receive bomb threats prior to Tuesday’s incidents. An Air India flight from Mumbai to New York was diverted to Delhi, while two IndiGo flights bound for Jeddah and Muscat faced delays of 11 and seven hours, respectively.
According to Air India officials, flight AI-119 was redirected to Delhi due to a specific security alert from the government’s security regulatory committee. After completing security protocols, passengers were accommodated in hotels, and the flight was rescheduled for Tuesday morning.
Also read: From flights to schools, how rising bomb hoax calls are haunting India
Centre convenes high-level meeting
On Wednesday, officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, and the Ministry of Home Affairs met to discuss the bomb threats received by Indian airlines.
Earlier, several reports indicated that airlines are pressing the government to tackle this issue, which not only inconveniences passengers but also disrupts flight schedules and leads to substantial financial losses. Air India is even considering legal action to recover damages from those responsible for these threats.
According to India Today, the civil aviation ministry is collaborating with law enforcement agencies to identify the hoax callers and add them to a ’no-fly list'.
This government initiative aims to pinpoint disruptive passengers and prevent them from boarding flights for a specified period. The no-fly list is compiled and maintained by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), based on inputs from airlines.
As reported by The Times of India, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the regulatory authority for civil aviation security, is currently exploring the legal framework required to implement this measure. A senior official stated, “We will work it out.”
In response to the threats, there has also been discussion about increasing the number of air marshals on flights.
A unit of National Security Guard (NSG) commandos typically serves as air marshals, mainly on international routes and select sensitive domestic routes. These sky marshals are armed plainclothes security officers who travel on passenger planes to enhance safety.
Furthermore, a senior official informed that the Ministry of Home Affairs has directed several agencies, including the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Bureau of Civil Aviation, National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Intelligence Bureau (IB), to submit reports regarding the recent bomb threats, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Cyber units on alert
Cyber units have been placed on high alert to monitor social media accounts posting bomb threats, according to The Hindu. Officials noted that most of these accounts appear to be operated from outside the country, and authorities have acted swiftly to have them suspended upon detection.
Zulfiquar Hasan, Director General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), issued a stern warning to those disseminating hoax messages.
He stated in a Times of India report, “All standard operating procedures were followed. All our flights are safe, and the Indian skies are absolutely safe. We are confident of tracing all those behind these threat messages, and very strict action under law will be taken against all of them. Police across the country is cooperating in ensuring this happens.”
Hasan reassured air travellers amidst rising threats, emphasizing that “there is zero risk in flying.”
With input from agencies
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