Wave of Hoax Bomb Threats Targets Indian Airlines, Disrupting Operations

Indian airlines have been targeted by over 70 hoax bomb threats this week, leading to significant disruptions and costs. Major carriers, including Air India Express, Vistara, and IndiGo, have been affected. The government plans stricter penalties to curb such incidents.

A series of hoax bomb threats has hit Indian airlines this week, targeting more than 70 domestic and international flights. The threats, though ultimately false, have forced emergency protocols, causing widespread disruption across the aviation sector. Major carriers like Air India Express, Vistara, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India have been significantly impacted.

Air India Express has borne the brunt of the incidents, with seven of its flights receiving bomb threats. In a particularly alarming case, an Air India flight from Mumbai to London was escorted to Heathrow by a Royal Air Force fighter jet after a bomb threat, which was later confirmed to be a hoax.

Vistara faced threats on six flights, five of which were international, including routes from Singapore, Frankfurt, and Colombo. A suspicious note discovered on a domestic Vistara flight from Udaipur to Mumbai led to the aircraft being diverted to an isolation bay for thorough checks.

IndiGo, the country’s largest airline by market share, reported threats to five of its flights, including international services to Istanbul. Akasa Air also experienced bomb threats on five routes, but all flights were cleared after inspections.

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The financial impact of these hoaxes is estimated to exceed ₹3 crore, accounting for costs such as emergency landings, passenger accommodations, and aircraft grounding. In response, the government is exploring stricter penalties for perpetrators, including adding them to no-fly lists.