Since Monday, at least 19 flights in India have faced hoax bomb threats, resulting in significant delays and diversions. On Wednesday, an Air Akasa flight en route to Bengaluru was redirected to Delhi due to a bomb threat. The previous day, two fighter jets from Singapore’s Air Force were dispatched to escort an Air India Express flight that also received a bomb threat. Earlier, an Air India flight traveling from Delhi to Chicago had to make an emergency landing at a Canadian airport for safety reasons. Other airlines, including IndiGo and SpiceJet, have also been affected. While hoax bomb threats are not uncommon in India, the recent spike in such incidents since Monday remains unexplained.
Investigation and Impact of Threats
On Monday, three international flights departing from Mumbai experienced diversions or delays due to threats posted on an X (formerly Twitter) account, leading to the detention of a teenager in connection with the incident. On Tuesday, seven flights, including the two Air India planes, were affected by the threats issued by another X handle which has now been suspended. Screenshots of some of the posts show the user had tagged the airline and local police and mentioned the flight number. Air India said in a statement that it was co-operating with authorities to identify the people behind the threats and would consider legal action to recover damages incurred.
Government Response to Security Threats
On Wednesday, India’s civil aviation minister announced that the ministry is actively monitoring the situation and taking “every possible effort” to ensure flight operations are secure. Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu emphasized their commitment to upholding the highest security standards, prioritizing passenger safety. According to a senior home ministry official quoted by ANI, additional security personnel will be assigned to “sensitive routes,” although this has not been officially confirmed by the government.
Security Protocols at Indian Airports
Every Indian airport has a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee which assesses the gravity of the threat and takes action accordingly. A threat can lead to the involvement of the bomb disposal squad, sniffer dogs, ambulances, police, and doctors. Passengers are off-loaded from the plane along with cabin baggage, check-in baggage, and cargo, and they are all screened again. Engineering and security teams also search the plane before it is cleared for flying again. The resultant delay can cost thousands of dollars in damages to airlines and security agencies.
International Involvement and Ongoing Investigations
For flights heading for other countries, it can also lead to international agencies getting involved, like in Singapore and Canada. On Tuesday, Singapore’s defence minister said that two of the city state’s fighter jets “scrambled and escorted” the Air India Express plane away from populated areas before it landed safely at Changi airport. The plane was flying from Madurai in India to Singapore. “Once on the ground, the plane was handed to the Airport Police. Investigations are ongoing,” Ng Eng Hen wrote. The aircraft later landed safely at Changi. In Canada – where the Air India flight to Chicago had landed at Iqaluit airport as a precautionary measure – the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said it was investigating the threat. Air India said on Wednesday that a Canadian Air Force plane was taking the passengers to Chicago. It’s not clear yet when the Air India plane will be allowed to take off.