Bomb hoax threats to Indian airlines have created waves of chaos, prompting widespread safety fears among travelers and serious disruptions across the aviation industry. This alarming trend has brought about more than 90 such fake threats just this week, with reports indicating over 70 targeted both domestic and international flights since October 13.
Among the notable incidents, over 30 hoax threats surfaced on just Saturday, and the disruptions continued throughout the weekend. Major airlines operating out of India, including IndiGo and Air India, faced significant operational challenges as numerous flights were reported to be the targets of these hoaxes.
IndiGo stated on Sunday, “The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our highest priority,” confirming threats against six of its flights. Notably, two of those flights connected Indian cities to Jeddah and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, alongside two flights directed toward Istanbul, Turkey.
Despite the safety of all flights, the threats have driven some aircraft to make emergency landings, diverting to locations as far away as Canada and Germany. Fighter jets were even deployed to escort several aircraft as they navigated through international airspace, particularly above Britain and Singapore.
One particularly concerning report came from The Indian Express, which revealed the existence of an anonymous account on social media platform X (previously Twitter) posting messages warning of bombs on at least 40 flights over the course of Friday and Saturday. Content from the suspended account conveyed dire messages such as, “There are bombs placed onboard... No one will make out alive. Hurry up and evacuate the plane!”
The responses from security agencies have been swift. Following the disruptions, India's civil aviation authorities have declared they would impose “very strict action” against those responsible. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu underscored this, saying, “All others responsible for the disruptions will be identified and duly prosecuted.” At least one individual, identified as a minor, has already been apprehended as part of the investigation.
The global ripple effect of these hoaxes is considerable, leading to expensive diversions and delays, which place additional strains on already burdened airline schedules. High-profile flights have faced intense scrutiny, including one Air India plane bound from Mumbai to New York, which required thorough checks by U.S. security officials upon landing safely. Another incident involved complications for an Air India flight destined for Chicago, which was forced to divert to Iqaluit, Canada, where the Canadian Air Force had to assist with passenger transportation.
Adding to the unsettled atmosphere, British RAF fighters were deployed to provide protection to yet another Air India flight—this time, it was a Boeing 777-300 landing safely amid reported threats. Additional flights between New Delhi and London were forced to redirect to Frankfurt under similar circumstances. The extensive chaos and operational challenges raised by these situations have landed heavily on airline finances and customer trust.
Overall, the threats color the current aviation narrative out of India as concerns heighten about passenger safety intertwined with growing global tensions. Individuals are left wondering whether these threats are mere pranks or if they have roots tied to more significant security issues. Consequently, the aviation industry is bracing for what may be an extended period of heightened alertness, investigations, and, ideally, comprehensive measures to prevent any future incidents.
