The Indian aviation sector faces unprecedented turmoil with 999 hoax bomb threats recorded this year, leading to flight delays and international repercussions.
Surge in Hoax Bomb Threats Disrupts Indian Aviation
Surge in Hoax Bomb Threats Disrupts Indian Aviation
Nearly 1,000 bomb threats reported in 2023, causing significant flight disruptions across India.
Article Text:
India has recently witnessed an alarming rise in hoax bomb threats, with the country's airlines and airports reporting a staggering total of 999 threats as of November 14, according to Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol. This number reflects a dramatic increase, nearly tenfold compared to the entire year of 2022. The situation escalated especially in late October, where over 500 of these threats were received, causing considerable disruption to flight operations and schedules.
Despite the sheer volume of threats, Mr. Mohol reassured that all reported incidents were hoaxes, with no real danger detected at any of India's airports or on aircraft. In response to this surge, police have initiated 256 investigations, resulting in 12 arrests tied to these false threats, marking a significant setback for aviation safety.
This alarming trend starkly contrasts with the period from 2014 to 2017, during which Indian authorities logged only 120 bomb hoax alerts — a period significantly less fraught with such incidents. The majority of those were leveled at Delhi and Mumbai airports, India's busiest.
The recent spate of hoax threats has not only led to domestic flight delays but has also spurred reactions from international agencies. For instance, Singapore's Air Force dispatched two fighter jets to escort an Air India Express flight in October, following a bomb threat. Similarly, another Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago was rerouted to a remote Canadian airport due to a hoax, necessitating airlifts for its passengers via a Canadian Air Force plane.
To address these threats, India's civil aviation ministry has stressed its commitment to ensuring flight safety and operations continuity. A Bomb Threat Assessment Committee at India's airports meticulously evaluates threats, which can lead to extensive and expensive security procedures involving bomb disposal units, screening of passengers and luggage, and coordination with emergency services.
The resultant disruptions not only inconvenience the flying public but also translate to significant financial losses for airlines and associated security bodies. Last year alone, over 150 million passengers utilized India's expansive air travel network, which manages over 3,000 flights daily from its 150 operational airports, including 33 international ones.
Stay updated on the situation, including security measures at Indian airports, by following BBC News India across social media platforms.
India has recently witnessed an alarming rise in hoax bomb threats, with the country's airlines and airports reporting a staggering total of 999 threats as of November 14, according to Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol. This number reflects a dramatic increase, nearly tenfold compared to the entire year of 2022. The situation escalated especially in late October, where over 500 of these threats were received, causing considerable disruption to flight operations and schedules.
Despite the sheer volume of threats, Mr. Mohol reassured that all reported incidents were hoaxes, with no real danger detected at any of India's airports or on aircraft. In response to this surge, police have initiated 256 investigations, resulting in 12 arrests tied to these false threats, marking a significant setback for aviation safety.
This alarming trend starkly contrasts with the period from 2014 to 2017, during which Indian authorities logged only 120 bomb hoax alerts — a period significantly less fraught with such incidents. The majority of those were leveled at Delhi and Mumbai airports, India's busiest.
The recent spate of hoax threats has not only led to domestic flight delays but has also spurred reactions from international agencies. For instance, Singapore's Air Force dispatched two fighter jets to escort an Air India Express flight in October, following a bomb threat. Similarly, another Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago was rerouted to a remote Canadian airport due to a hoax, necessitating airlifts for its passengers via a Canadian Air Force plane.
To address these threats, India's civil aviation ministry has stressed its commitment to ensuring flight safety and operations continuity. A Bomb Threat Assessment Committee at India's airports meticulously evaluates threats, which can lead to extensive and expensive security procedures involving bomb disposal units, screening of passengers and luggage, and coordination with emergency services.
The resultant disruptions not only inconvenience the flying public but also translate to significant financial losses for airlines and associated security bodies. Last year alone, over 150 million passengers utilized India's expansive air travel network, which manages over 3,000 flights daily from its 150 operational airports, including 33 international ones.
Stay updated on the situation, including security measures at Indian airports, by following BBC News India across social media platforms.
