A significant and alarming rise in hoax bomb threats targeting Indian airlines is disrupting flight schedules, resulting in diversions and widespread chaos.
Recently, a video showed passengers from an Air India flight, originally heading from Mumbai to Chicago, disembarking in Iqaluit, Canada, amidst frigid temperatures after being diverted on October 15 due to a bomb threat.
“We’ve been stranded at the airport since 5 AM with no communication… We have no guidance on our next steps. It’s extremely frustrating,” said a passenger, capturing the sentiments of many left in limbo.
Hours later, the ordeal culminated when a Canadian Air Force plane transported the stranded passengers to Chicago. Air India confirmed the diversion was a precautionary measure following a “security threat posted online”.
The online threat was false, yet it reflects a troubling trend of numerous hoaxes targeting Indian airlines this year. In just one week, authorities reported at least 90 threats, leading to diversions and delays. Notably, 41 airports were targeted with similar hoaxes in June, underscoring a spike in such incidents.
From 2014 to 2017, Indian authorities recorded 120 bomb hoax alerts, primarily aimed at Delhi and Mumbai. However, the surge witnessed this year has raised serious concerns among officials.
Federal aviation minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, expressed his concerns, stating, “Disruptive actions targeted at our airlines threaten both domestic and international operations. Such actions compromise safety and the operational integrity of the aviation sector.”
Experts attribute the rise in hoax bomb threats to a mix of malicious intent, attention-seeking behavior, or mental health issues. Previous incidents have linked such threats to pranks or attempts to disrupt flight operations, as seen with a frustrated passenger attempting to delay a flight by reporting a bomb scare.
The surge in hoaxes disrupts operations in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, which saw over 150 million domestic flights in the last year. With more than 3,000 flights daily, encompassing over 150 operational airports, the stakes are high.
This past week was particularly chaotic, recording 484,263 passengers on October 14, marking a single-day record. With a backlog of nearly 1,700 aircraft orders, India’s commercial aviation market is rapidly evolving.
The repercussions of bomb threat alerts are far-reaching. For instance, when an in-flight bomb threat is reported, aircraft are forced to reroute to the nearest airport, as seen with recent incidents involving flights diverted due to alerts. Engaging fighter jets to accompany flights is also a possibility.
Once on the ground, thorough searches of passengers, baggage, and cargo must be conducted, which often prolongs delays as fresh crews may also need to be called in, further complicating schedules.
“Each diversion or delay incurs substantial costs and affects flight schedules. Disruptions not only impact the immediate operation but also lead to cascading delays affecting many flights,” stated an aviation industry expert.
The rise in anonymous online bomb threat postings complicates the efforts to trace the individuals behind these acts, with motives still largely shrouded in mystery.
Recently, authorities apprehended a 17-year-old for establishing a social media account to issue hoax threats. While motivations remain unclear, the individual allegedly targeted four flights, leading to significant disruptions.
Tracking and prosecuting individuals who make these threats presents serious challenges, as existing laws might not adequately address the nature of hoaxes. Proposals for stricter penalties, including no-fly lists and potential prison terms, are under consideration.
Ultimately, the emotional toll these threats take on passengers cannot be understated, as fear influences decisions about air travel amidst a tide of false alarms.
