India’s Aviation Safety Body Meets Airline CEOs After 70 Bomb Threats in 6 Days

In response to an unprecedented 70 bomb threats targeting Indian airlines within six days, officials from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) held an urgent meeting with airline CEOs in New Delhi on Saturday. The meeting, held at the civil aviation ministry’s office, focused on enforcing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to tackle the ongoing threats, which have caused significant passenger inconvenience and operational disruptions.

On Saturday alone, more than 30 bomb threats were made against various airlines. Vistara, IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air, and other airlines reported receiving security-related alerts, leading to flight delays and diversions. Several of these threats were traced to IP addresses in countries like London, Germany, Canada, and the US, though officials suspect the use of VPNs to mask actual locations.

The BCAS and DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) are expected to release fresh guidelines for dealing with bomb threats, as the civil aviation ministry continues to work with airlines and security agencies. Investigations so far have not revealed a larger conspiracy, with officials noting that many threats appear to be from minors and pranksters.

A 17-year-old in Mumbai was recently taken into custody for making threats in an attempt to frame a friend. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu reassured the public, stating that steps are being taken to curb these pranks and strengthen aviation security.

Related news: https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ndtv.com