Bomb Scare Delays Varanasi-Bengaluru Flight, Canadian-Origin Passenger Arrested For Making Claim
A bomb threat was reported on a Bengaluru-bound flight at Varanasi airport. The passenger who made the threat was arrested, and legal proceedings have been initiated.
Panic ensued at Varanasi airport on Saturday after a bomb threat was reported onboard a Bengaluru-bound flight, prompting an intense security check from the runway to the aircraft. According to officials, a passenger had alerted authorities about the presence of a bomb in the flight. Following this alarming claim, a thorough inspection was carried out, delaying the flight’s departure. The passenger, identified as a Canadian-origin individual, was arrested, and legal proceedings have been initiated.
Airport authorities informed ABP News that the incident was confirmed via a phone call. The accused had specifically claimed that there was a bomb in a bag. After conducting a reinvestigation that lasted approximately three hours, the flight was allowed to depart for Bengaluru.
In a separate incident, a private Mumbai-bound flight suffered a delay of around two hours after one of its tyres burst during take-off preparations around 4.40 pm, airport officials said, as per news agency PTI. The aircraft, carrying 156 passengers, safely returned to the bay following the tyre burst. Officials confirmed that all passengers were safe and that the tyre was subsequently replaced before the flight resumed its journey.
DGCA Advisory On Passenger Communication And In-Flight Services
Meanwhile, in light of recent disruptions due to the closure of Pakistani airspace for Indian airlines, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday issued an advisory to airlines regarding passenger communication and in-flight services. With international flights experiencing longer flying times, particularly from northern cities such as Delhi, the advisory emphasises five key areas: pre-flight passenger communication, in-flight catering and comfort, medical preparedness and alternate aerodromes, customer service and support readiness, and intra-departmental coordination.
The DGCA noted that recent international airspace closures and overflight restrictions have led to significant rerouting of flights, increased block times compared to scheduled durations, and the potential need for technical halts en route for operational or fuel requirements. Airlines have been directed to proactively inform passengers about changes in routing and revised travel durations through check-in announcements, boarding gate updates, and SMS/email alerts. Furthermore, passengers must be informed if a technical stop becomes necessary, clarifying that such stops are operational and that passengers will generally remain onboard.
The advisory also mandates that catering services be adjusted based on the revised expected block time to ensure sufficient meals and beverages are available for the entire journey. Airlines must ensure adequate medical kits and first-aid resources are onboard. Additionally, customer service teams should be briefed to manage likely delays, missed onward connections, and provide assistance.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed at least 26 lives. In response, Pakistan has barred Indian carriers from using its airspace. On Friday, IndiGo announced that about 50 of its international routes would now require longer sectors and could face scheduling adjustments. The airline also stated that due to operational limitations, it would suspend flights to Almaty from 27 April until at least 7 May, and to Tashkent from 28 April until 7 May.
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