A wave of anxiety has gripped Indian aviation as a relentless barrage of bomb threats has disrupted flights across the country. Over the past 10 days, nearly 250 flights operated by major Indian airlines, including Air India, Vistara, Akasa Air, and IndiGo, have received threats, forcing authorities to scramble to ensure safety and security. The sheer volume of these threats, which have thankfully proven to be hoaxes, has left passengers and security agencies on edge.
Thursday alone saw a staggering 70 flights receive bomb threats, according to sources cited by PTI. This surge in threats has prompted the government to take decisive action. The Centre is considering placing perpetrators of these threats on the no-fly list, effectively banning them from air travel. Furthermore, the government is exploring amendments to aviation security rules and the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982, to strengthen legal measures against individuals responsible for these hoaxes.
In a bid to combat the spread of threats on social media platforms, the government held a virtual meeting with airline officials and representatives from X (formerly Twitter) and Meta. Joint Secretary Sanket S Bhondve, leading the meeting, urged social media platforms to employ AI-based solutions to identify and block accounts responsible for disseminating threats. The government is actively pursuing strategies to prevent further disruptions and ensure passenger safety.
The financial implications of these threats are substantial. An official from the finance department of a domestic airline revealed that a disrupted domestic flight can cost an estimated ₹1.5 crore, while international flights incur even higher costs, averaging around ₹5-5.5 crore. The financial burden extends beyond airlines, as security agencies dedicate significant resources to investigate and respond to these incidents.
The government’s commitment to tackling this issue is evident in the proactive measures being taken. While the immediate focus is on ensuring the safety of passengers and flights, authorities are also actively investigating the source of these threats to bring the perpetrators to justice. The successful disruption of flights and the widespread anxiety caused by these hoaxes highlight the need for a multi-pronged approach, encompassing stricter laws, technological solutions, and collaborative efforts between government agencies, airlines, and social media platforms.
