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On Thursday, a wave of bomb threats disrupted air travel across India, affecting a staggering 80 flights. The threats, which were later determined to be hoaxes, caused widespread chaos and delays, forcing authorities to implement stringent security measures. Among the affected flights were three operating in the Pune sector: two IndiGo flights and one Akasa Air flight. The threats were communicated through social media, specifically via an X account named @adamlanza222. The account holder claimed to have planted bombs on the targeted aircraft and provided the flight numbers as evidence.
The threats prompted immediate action from airport authorities. The IndiGo Kolkata-Pune flight, which was scheduled to fly to Rajkot, landed in Pune and underwent thorough security checks. Passengers and crew were disembarked, and the aircraft was thoroughly sanitized. After a delay of over two hours, the aircraft finally departed Pune at 4.20 pm. The Akasa Air Pune-Kolkata flight and the IndiGo Pune-Jodhpur flight were also sanitized at their respective destinations, Kolkata and Jodhpur. While the threats were ultimately found to be false, the disruption caused significant inconvenience for passengers and impacted the smooth operation of air travel.
Following the incident, both IndiGo and Akasa Air issued statements acknowledging the bomb threats and emphasizing the safety and security of their passengers and crew. IndiGo confirmed that standard operating procedures were followed in collaboration with relevant authorities. Both airlines expressed their regret for the inconvenience caused and thanked passengers for their understanding. Despite the widespread nature of the threats, the authorities have yet to apprehend the individual behind the hoax messages. The incident highlights the vulnerability of aviation security to malicious actions and underscores the need for robust security protocols to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
Source: Hoax Bomb Threat Disrupts Flights in Pune: IndiGo and Akasa Air Targeted