Hoax Bomb Threats Target Nearly 100 Flights In A Week, Aviation Minister Suspects ‘1 Person Creating Chaos’

Hoax bomb threats affected nearly 100 flights in a week. Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu suspects a single individual as being behind the threats.

Representational Image | IndiGo, Vistara, Akasa Air, and Air India were among the airlines affected by hoax bomb threats.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

On Sunday, as many as 25 flights of Indian airlines were targeted with bomb threats, causing significant disruptions for hundreds of passengers and compelling authorities to relocate numerous aircraft to isolation bays for thorough inspections. This incident followed a similar wave of threats the previous day, which affected over 30 flights. In total, nearly 100 flights have received such threats this week, all of which have since been confirmed as hoaxes, news agency PTI reported.

According to PTI, sources indicate that six flights each from IndiGo, Vistara, Air India, and Akasa Air, as well as at least one flight from Air India Express, were among those that received threats on Sunday. An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed awareness of the situation concerning flights 6E 58 (Jeddah to Mumbai), 6E87 (Kozhikode to Dammam), 6E11 (Delhi to Istanbul), 6E17 (Mumbai to Istanbul), 6E133 (Pune to Jodhpur), and 6E112 (Goa to Ahmedabad), stating that passengers disembarked safely.

Vistara reported security threats for six flights: UK25 (Delhi to Frankfurt), UK106 (Singapore to Mumbai), UK146 (Bali to Delhi), UK116 (Singapore to Delhi), UK110 (Singapore to Pune), and UK107 (Mumbai to Singapore). A Vistara spokesperson noted, "In line with the protocols, all relevant authorities were immediately notified, and security procedures, as directed by them, are being carried out."

Akasa Air also confirmed threats for six of its flights: QP1102 (Ahmedabad to Mumbai), QP1378 (Delhi to Goa), QP1385 (Mumbai to Bagdogra), QP1406 (Delhi to Hyderabad), QP1519 (Kochi to Mumbai), and QP1526 (Lucknow to Mumbai). Following defined procedures, all affected aircraft have been cleared for operations, according to an Akasa Air spokesperson.

Air India flights were also reportedly affected today, although the airline did not release statements regarding the same. PTI cited sources as revealing that an Air India Express flight, IX481, travelling from Kochi to Dammam, received a bomb threat but landed safely in Dammam. A social media account that had issued bomb threats to various flights was blocked on the platform X (formerly Twitter).

Civil Aviation Minister Naidu Suspects Single Individual 'Creating Chaos' With Hoax Threats

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu stated on Sunday that the ministry is diligently investigating the hoax bomb threats and that police are actively seeking to identify those responsible. "There are continuous threats that have been observed in the last week especially. The ministry is thoroughly pursuing these issues, especially as cases have also been registered and police are investigating who is behind it," Naidu told news agency ANI.

When asked about the motivations behind these hoax calls, Naidu remarked, "It is very difficult to tell at this point in time. The police have to do the due diligence; they must catch the perpetrators behind this issue. Once we identify them, it will be easier to understand their motives."

He added that it appears a single individual is causing chaos by tweeting about various flights, "It seems to be that only one person gets onto Twitter (X) and he tweets about many different planes and then it creates chaos in the whole system."

Naidu further indicated that they are collaborating with intelligence agencies and other key personnel from the Ministry of Home Affairs to prevent such incidents in the future. "We are taking this very seriously and want to ensure that these kinds of incidents do not happen," he affirmed. "If we identify those responsible, they will face stringent punishment," he concluded. 

In response to the spate of threats, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) convened a meeting with airline representatives on Saturday, while the Ministry of Civil Aviation plans to implement stringent regulations to deter hoax threats, including placing perpetrators on a no-fly list.

"Indian skies are absolutely safe. The current protocol to deal with the situation is robust and is being strictly followed. We reassure passengers that they should fly without any fear and in fact, fly even more," BCAS Director-General Zulfiqar Hasan told ANI.