Surge in Hoax Bomb Threats Disrupts Indian Aviation Sector

The Indian civil aviation industry is grappling with a dramatic surge in hoax bomb threats, totaling 999 as of mid-November, almost ten times the number from the previous year. The increased threats have severely impacted flight operations, with multiple arrests made in connection to the hoaxes.

In a troubling trend, India's airlines and airports have encountered a staggering 999 hoax bomb threats this year, as disclosed by Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol in a parliament session. This alarming figure is nearly tenfold the incidents recorded in 2023. A significant portion of these threats, over 500, emerged in the last fortnight of October alone, leading to extensive disruptions in flight schedules across the nation.

Mr. Mohol emphasized that all reported threats were false alarms, stating that “no actual threat has been detected” at any airport or aircraft in the country. Authorities have initiated legal action by registering 256 complaints, resulting in the arrests of 12 individuals connected to these hoax threats. This surge represents an unprecedented rise in such incidents, particularly compared to 120 hoax alerts documented between 2014 and 2017, with the majority targeted at Delhi and Mumbai airports.

The October crisis had cascading effects on flight operations, with many services delayed or rerouted. Notably, an incident involving Air India led Singapore's Air Force to scramble fighter jets to escort a plane upon receiving a bomb threat, while another flight from New Delhi to Chicago was forced to divert to a remote Canadian airport, shuttering the travel plans for numerous passengers.

In a statement, India's civil aviation ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring flight safety through comprehensive measures. A designated Bomb Threat Assessment Committee evaluates each potential threat, which may involve bomb disposal teams, police, and medical services. The protocols entail the complete evacuation and security scrutiny of aircraft, which not only delays operations but can also accumulate financial losses reaching into the thousands for airlines and security agencies.

With over 150 million domestic passengers reported last year and around 3,000 daily flights operating from more than 150 airports, including 33 international ones, the ripple effects of these hoax threats are felt across India's bustling aviation landscape.