Unprecedented surge in hoax bomb threats disrupts Indian airlines

In a dramatic turn of events, Indian airlines are currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in bogus bomb threats, which has resulted in widespread disruptions, diverted flights, and significant delays. The flight schedules have been disrupted by these false alarms, resulting in passengers being stranded for hours and aircraft being rerouted to remote locations.

On October 15, an Air India flight from Mumbai to Chicago was diverted to Iqaluit, a remote city in Canada, in response to an explosives threat. This was an example of such an incident. In a video that was shared on social media, the 211 passengers of the Boeing 777 were seen walking down a frozen ladder into the frigid air. 

The ordeal concluded hours later when a Canadian Air Force aircraft transported the passengers to their intended destination in Chicago. The flight was diverted by Air India as a result of a “security threat posted online,” which, like numerous others this year, was confirmed to be a fabrication.

This occurrence is indicative of a concerning trend. Over 90 explosives threats were directed at Indian airlines in a single week, resulting in numerous cancellations and diversions. In June, a record 41 airports received explosives threats in a single day, which resulted in an increase in security measures throughout the nation. 

Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, the federal aviation minister of India, expressed profound apprehension regarding the proliferation of bogus threats, accusing them of jeopardising airline operations and jeopardising safety. 

Various motives, such as malevolent intent, pranks, or attempts to disrupt business operations, are suggested by experts as the cause of these hoax threats. A man who missed his check-in for a SpiceJet flight last year made an explosive threat, which was in some cases the fault of frustrated passengers.

India’s aviation market is one of the fastest-growing in the world, with over 150 million domestic passengers in the past year and thousands of flights operating daily. Nevertheless, these explosive hoaxes are causing anarchy. For example, the Air India flight that was diverted to Iqaluit last week was merely one of numerous aircraft that were required to perform emergency landings. Similarly, other flights, including a Vistara flight destined for Frankfurt and an Air India Express flight bound for Singapore, were diverted in response to bomb threats.

These forgeries have a substantial financial and logistical impact. Extensive inspections are necessary for diverted aircraft, which can take hours to complete, including the examination of all baggage, cargo, and catering supplies. 

Authorities are experiencing difficulty in identifying the perpetrators as the number of hoax threats continues to increase. It is challenging to ascertain whether the threats are the result of individual, group, or copycat actions, as they are frequently issued through anonymous social media accounts. The reason for this increase is still unknown.

Tracking down those responsible for hoax bomb threats poses a considerable challenge for authorities. While Indian law prescribes life imprisonment for threats that jeopardize airport safety or disrupt services, such a harsh penalty may be disproportionate for hoax calls and could face legal challenges. In response, the government is reportedly exploring alternative measures, including placing offenders on a no-fly list and drafting new legislation that would impose a more appropriate penalty, such as a five-year prison sentence.