New Aviation Rules: Hoax Bomb Threats Could Lead To Heavy Fines Of Upto Rs 1 Crore

Around 1,000 flights received fake bomb threat calls this year, which has led the Aviation Ministry to take action and introduce new rules.

Placing hoax bomb threats that disrupt civil aviation operations can invite a fine of up to Rs 1 crore.

According to The Times Of India (TOI), around 1,000 flights received fake bomb threat calls so far this year, this has resulted in heavy costs to the airlines, and severe inconvenience to the passengers. The aviation ministry introduced new rules to curb such occurrences in the future.

The Aircraft (Security) Rules amendment, hoax bomb threats would be classified in the highest level of severity—Level 6—under the rule. It will attract fines including Rs 1 lakh for individuals, Rs 50 lakh for small organisations, Rs 75 lakh for medium organisations, and Rs 1 crore for large organisations.

These new rules were notified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on Monday and took immediate effect, according to The Indian Express.

The gazette notification detailing the amendment introduces a new rule titled “Prohibition to Communicate False Information.” This rule states that no person can communicate false information to jeopardise the safety and security of “an aircraft, aerodrome, civil aviation facility, or both”, they cannot cause panic among passengers, crew, ground personnel, or the general public. These individuals are disrupting civil aviation operations.

Additionally, another rule has been introduced, granting the Director General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) the authority to issue written directions to “refuse admission to any person or group of persons in the aircraft” or to “require any person or group of persons to leave the aircraft.” This rule serves as a facilitating provision to ban individuals responsible for such threats from flying, as per The Indian Express.

In October, several Indian airlines received several bomb hoaxes. These threats, primarily posted by anonymous and unverified social media accounts, caused chaos among airlines, airports, and security agencies. In several cases, they led to flight diversions and stringent post-landing security checks and screenings. This also inconvenienced the passengers and flight crew members.