Airlines on High Alert After Surge in Hoax Bomb Threats

Ten airlines have reported receiving hoax bomb threats. Spice Jet and Air Asia each received five threats, prompting enhanced security measures, including isolating flights and thorough checks of passengers. Authorities are pursuing stricter regulations and punishment for threats against airlines to prevent such incidents.

In a concerning development, multiple airlines received a total of ten hoax bomb threats on Saturday, further escalating tensions within the aviation sector. Among the airlines targeted were Spice Jet, with threats to flights SG 55, SG 116, SG 211, SG 476, and SG 2939, and Air Asia, with alerts concerning flights 9I 506, 9I 528, 9I 822, 9I 661, and 9I 804.

This recent surge brings the total number of bomb threats received by airlines to 30 within a matter of days. In response to the threat towards flight S5 223, originating from Lucknow, the aircraft was promptly moved to an isolation bay, and passengers underwent rigorous security checks before proceeding to the terminal.

According to the spokesperson for Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, the bomb threat for flight S5 223 was received at 1:52 pm on October 19th. The airport's Bomb Threat Assessment Committee was immediately activated, leading to the aircraft's relocation to a secure site and thorough security clearances by 4:10 pm. A parallel incident involved Indigo flight 6E 108, running between Hyderabad and Chandigarh, which also received a hoax threat.

In light of these incidents, IndiGo emphasized their commitment to safety, stating, "Ensuring the safety and security of our customers and crew remains paramount." Operations proceeded in strict accordance with standard protocols, and all passengers were evacuated without incident.

In a bid to combat the growing menace of hoax bomb threats, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is coordinating with other ministries to amend existing aviation laws. Proposed changes aim to introduce a no-fly list and the prospect of five-year imprisonment for offenders, with preparations underway to update the Aircraft Act, 1934 and Aircraft Rules, 1937.

(With inputs from agencies.)