- Ten Indian flights received bomb threats in 48 hours
- Threats caused delays, diversions, and military escorts
- Airlines investigating, considering legal action for damages
Over the last 48 hours, at least ten Indian flights have received phony bomb threats, causing significant delays and diversions.
Following a bomb threat, Singapore’s Air Force sent two fighter jets to escort an Air India Express plane away from populated areas.
Hours earlier, an Air India flight from Delhi to Chicago had to land at a Canadian airport as a precautionary measure.
Hoax bomb threats to airlines are not uncommon in India, although it is unclear what sparked the extraordinary increase since Monday.
The government’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security did not respond to the BBC’s email requests for comment.
Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Aksa Air flights were also threatened.
On Monday, three international aircraft departing from Mumbai were diverted or delayed after an X (previously Twitter) user issued threats. Police have detained a youngster in connection with this.
On Tuesday, seven flights, including two Air India aircraft, were disrupted by threats sent by another X handle, which has since been suspended. Screenshots of several posts show that the user tagged the airline and local police while mentioning the aircraft number.
Air India stated it was working with authorities to identify the people behind the threats and would explore legal action to recover damages.
Every Indian airport has a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee that assesses the intensity of the threat and responds accordingly. A danger may necessitate the presence of the bomb disposal squad, sniffer dogs, ambulances, police, and doctors.
Passengers, cabin baggage, check-in baggage, and cargo are all offloaded from the plane and rescreened. Engineering and security crews conduct a search before the jet is cleared to fly again.
Delays can cost airlines and security agencies hundreds of dollars in damages.
International agencies, such as those in Singapore and Canada, may become involved in flights to other nations.
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On Tuesday, Singapore’s defense minister stated that two of the city state’s fighter planes “scrambled and escorted” the Air India Express plane before it safely landed at Changi Airport. The jet was flying from Madurai, India, to Singapore.
“After landing, the jet was handed over to the Airport Police. Ng Eng Hen wrote, “Investigations are ongoing.”
The plane eventually landed safely at Changi.
In Canada, where the Air India flight to Chicago had landed at Iqaluit airport as a precaution, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said it was looking into the threat.
On Wednesday, Air India announced that a Canadian Air Force plane will transport the passengers to Chicago. It’s unclear when the Air India plane will be allowed to take flight.
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