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The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is actively investigating a series of bomb threats targeting six flights within a span of 48 hours, causing significant disruptions to air travel. These threats, originating from an unverified account on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), have prompted emergency landings and heightened security measures. The incidents highlight the vulnerability of aviation to misinformation and the challenges in responding to potentially credible threats.
One of the most notable incidents involved Air India Flight AI 127, traveling from Delhi to Chicago. After receiving a bomb threat, the aircraft was diverted to the Iqaluit airport in Canada, a remote location, as a precautionary measure. The airline confirmed that the flight had been subjected to a security threat and that passengers and the aircraft were undergoing thorough rescreening in accordance with established security protocols. Air India has also mobilized personnel at the airport to provide assistance to passengers until their journey can resume.
The threats have also impacted domestic flights. An IndiGo flight, 6E 98, operating between Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and Lucknow, India, made an emergency landing in Jaipur after a bomb threat was received. The airline emphasized its commitment to passenger and crew safety, assuring that it is collaborating closely with authorities and implementing necessary safety measures. Similarly, Air India Express Flight IX 765, traveling from Jaipur to Ayodhya, also experienced a bomb threat and landed in Ayodhya as a precaution. These incidents highlight the widespread impact of the threats, causing disruptions and delays across various flight routes.
Prior to these recent incidents, three international flights, two operated by IndiGo and one by Air India, departing from Mumbai, also received bomb threats on Monday. These threats, subsequently determined to be hoaxes, prompted emergency landings. For instance, Air India Flight AI 119, intended for a flight from Mumbai to New York's JFK Airport, was redirected to New Delhi. Airline officials acknowledge the significant financial consequences of these hoax calls but underscore the importance of taking every threat seriously. The need to ensure the safety of passengers and crew necessitates a stringent response, despite the potential disruption and costs associated with false alarms.
Source: "Investigating": Aviation Body After Bomb Threats To 6 Flights In Under 48 Hours