A wave of bomb hoaxes has severely impacted air travel in India, with 95 flights across multiple airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet, Alliance Air, and Akasa Air, receiving threats on Thursday alone. Over the past 10 days, more than 250 flights have been disrupted, causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers and creating significant challenges for aviation authorities.
According to officials, Thursday’s threats targeted 25 Akasa Air flights, 20 each from Air India, IndiGo, and Vistara, and five from SpiceJet and Alliance Air. These latest threats add to the more than 170 similar incidents that have occurred in recent days, most of which originated from social media platforms and were later confirmed as hoaxes.
Security and Passenger Impact
The hoaxes have caused widespread panic, forcing extensive security measures and delays across airports in India. Flights from Delhi and other major hubs to both domestic and international destinations have been affected. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu acknowledged the strain on passengers and aviation personnel, and assured the public that the government is taking the matter seriously.
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Government Response
In response to the growing number of bomb threats, the government is considering strict legal measures. Civil Aviation Minister Naidu announced plans to make hoax bomb threats a cognisable offence and place those responsible on a no-fly list. Speaking to India Today TV’s Rajdeep Sardesai, Naidu stated, “We are putting in all the efforts required to ensure that our skies are safe.”
The threats have led the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to convene an urgent meeting with airline CEOs and representatives on October 19. Authorities are coordinating efforts with paramilitary forces and intelligence agencies to track down the sources of these hoaxes.
Role of Social Media in Threats
A significant portion of these threats have been traced back to anonymous posts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). While the accounts responsible have been suspended, the ease with which such messages can be spread online has raised concerns. On Wednesday, the Indian government criticized X for its failure to handle the situation effectively, accusing the platform of “abetting crime.”
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Naidu emphasized the complexity of investigating these threats, particularly with many of the IP addresses linked to foreign locations, likely rerouted through VPNs. “It is not exactly my purview to tell where exactly it is coming from; the intelligence agency, the necessary departments, they’re all looking through it,” he said.
Ongoing Investigation
The Delhi Police have filed eight cases related to the bomb threats, and investigations are underway to determine whether these incidents are part of a larger conspiracy or targeted disruptions during the festive season. Minister Naidu cautioned against drawing conclusions before a thorough investigation is completed. “Once we get hold of who is behind this, only then can we tell if there is a conspiracy,” he added.
