Govt says 13 people arrested for hoax bomb threats to airlines in 2024

New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI): The Indian government has revealed that 13 individuals were arrested in 2024 for making hoax bomb threats targeting airlines. The disclosure, made in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, highlights the alarming frequency of such threats, with a total of 728 incidents recorded last year.

According to data shared by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), out of the 728 threats, 714 were directed at domestic carriers, underscoring the heightened security challenges faced by Indian airlines.

IndiGo Tops the List of Threatened Airlines​

Among Indian carriers, IndiGo faced the highest number of bomb threats, receiving 216 alerts. It was followed by Air India (179), Vistara (153), Akasa Air (72), SpiceJet (35), Alliance Air (26), Air India Express (19), and Star Air (14).

Foreign airlines were not spared either, with 14 bomb threats recorded. The highest number was reported by Emirates (5) and Air Arabia (3), while Aeroflot, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air each received one threat.

Government Measures & Security Response​

Responding to the growing concern, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol stated that strict security protocols are in place to deal with such threats. The Bomb Threat Contingency Plan (BTCP) has been mandated by BCAS, ensuring that every airport has a designated Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) to evaluate threats and act accordingly.

To further strengthen security, BCAS has issued advisories to all civil aviation stakeholders, reinforcing measures to prevent unlawful interference with air travel.

Rising Security Concerns in Aviation​

The significant number of hoax bomb threats poses serious security concerns, causing disruptions, flight delays, and increased operational costs for airlines. Authorities continue to work towards tightening security frameworks to ensure passenger safety and deter such malicious activities.