India’s Aviation Sector Records Nearly 1,000 Hoax Bomb Threats

India’s deputy civil aviation minister informed the country’s parliament that airlines and airports in India had been subjected to 999 hoax bomb threats this year, as of November 14. Mr Murlidhar Mohol stated that this figure represented almost a tenfold increase compared to the threats recorded in 2023. Over 500 of these threats occurred solely within the final two weeks of October. This significant rise in hoax incidents has severely impacted flight schedules, leading to extensive service disruptions. Mr Mohol confirmed that all recent threats were hoaxes, emphasizing that “no actual threat detected at any of the airports/aircraft in India”. The minister also reported that law enforcement agencies have filed 256 complaints and apprehended 12 individuals in relation to these threats. Nevertheless, these incidents signify an unparalleled increase in such deceptive alerts. From 2014 to 2017, authorities documented only 120 bomb hoax alerts at airports, with approximately half targeting Delhi and Mumbai, which are the nation’s largest airports. The concentrated series of hoax threats in October resulted in delays for numerous affected flights and the diversion of others. Furthermore, hoax threats targeting flights bound for international destinations have necessitated the involvement of international agencies. In October, Singapore’s Air Force dispatched two fighter jets to accompany an Air India Express aircraft after a bomb threat was reported. During the same month, another Air India flight traveling from New Delhi to Chicago was compelled to make an unscheduled landing at a remote airport in Canada. Subsequently, passengers from this flight were transported to Chicago via an Air Force plane deployed by Canadian officials. At that time, India’s civil aviation ministry had stated its commitment to making “every possible effort” to ensure the safety of flight operations. Airports across India are equipped with a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee, responsible for evaluating the seriousness of such threats and implementing appropriate responses. A reported threat can trigger the deployment of a bomb disposal squad, sniffer dogs, ambulances, police, and medical personnel. Passengers, along with their cabin baggage, check-in baggage, and cargo, are disembarked from the aircraft and subjected to re-screening. Engineering and security teams also conduct a thorough search of the plane before it is authorized to resume operations. The ensuing delays can incur costs amounting to thousands of dollars in damages for airlines and security agencies. Data from the civil aviation ministry indicates that over 150 million passengers traveled domestically within India last year. The country’s more than 150 operational airports, which include 33 international facilities, handle over 3,000 flight arrivals and departures daily.