Indian Airlines Targeted by Nearly 1,000 Bomb Hoaxes in 2024
Indian airlines have faced a significant surge in bomb hoaxes, with nearly 1,000 fake bomb threats made in 2024 alone, according to a statement from the country’s deputy civil aviation minister, Murlidhar Mohol. The alarming rise in threats, including more than 600 hoaxes in October, has raised serious concerns about security and the impact on operations in India’s aviation sector.
On November 27, 2024, Mohol informed India’s parliament that the number of bomb threats has sharply increased compared to previous years. According to Mohol, 27 hoax bomb threat calls were recorded between August and December 2022. The number increased to 122 calls in 2023, and by mid-November 2024, there had been 994 bomb hoaxes reported.
Despite the alarming number of threats, investigations have revealed that none of these hoaxes have resulted in any actual threats being found at airports or on aircraft. Authorities have been quick to respond, but police have found no credible evidence of bombs or explosives in any incidents.
The airlines most affected by these bomb hoaxes include larger carriers like Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, and Akasa. These major airlines have been the target of a significant portion of the threats, particularly in October 2024. During this month alone, IndiGo received 162 bomb threats, Air India had 154 threats, and Vistara was targeted with 150 threats. Other airlines like Akasa, SpiceJet, and Alliance Air also reported numerous threats.
Among the most notable incidents in October 2024, an Air India flight departing from Mumbai en route to New York was forced to divert to Delhi after a bomb threat was posted on social media. This prompted immediate action by the airline and authorities to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Earlier in August 2024, an emergency was declared on another Air India flight traveling from Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) to Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) after a bomb threat was found on a note inside the aircraft’s lavatory. In another incident in June 2024, an IndiGo Airlines domestic flight from Chennai to Mumbai was grounded after a bomb threat was received via an anonymous phone call to the airline’s call center.
The alarming rise in bomb hoaxes has prompted calls for increased vigilance and enhanced security measures at Indian airports. Authorities are investigating the sources of these threats, which have disrupted flights and heightened tension among airline staff and passengers. While none of the threats have been substantiated, the sheer volume of hoaxes has strained resources and drawn attention to the need for better monitoring systems.
As the year continues, the aviation industry and security agencies in India are working to address these challenges and ensure the safety and security of air travel.
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