The spate of bomb threats against Indian airlines has led to significant operational disruptions and financial losses. For the fifth consecutive day, a London-bound Vistara flight from Delhi was diverted to Frankfurt on October 18, 2024, following a security threat received via social media. A Vistara spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and that necessary checks were underway.
In recent days, nearly 40 flights from various Indian carriers have faced similar threats, ultimately identified as hoaxes. Airline officials estimate the financial impact of these incidents to be in the crores. For instance, a Boeing 777 from Mumbai to New York had to dump over 100 tonnes of fuel to land safely in Delhi after a bomb threat shortly after takeoff, incurring losses of approximately Rs.1 crore ($120,000) just for fuel.
The overall costs associated with these hoaxes extend beyond fuel wastage. Additional expenses include unscheduled landing charges, passenger accommodations, and aircraft grounding, pushing the total financial burden to over Rs.3 crore ($360,000) per incident, according to reports.
A particularly severe case involved an Air India Boeing 777, which was diverted to a remote Canadian town due to a bomb threat. Stranded for three and a half days, the aircraft ultimately required a chartered Canadian Air Force plane to transport passengers, further inflating costs that could reach Rs.15-20 crore ($1.8-2.4 million).
In response to this alarming trend, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu announced that the ministry is exploring amendments to civil aviation regulations to impose stricter penalties on individuals making such threats. “We are taking things seriously. We will take action,” Naidu emphasized, noting that the government is reviewing international protocols to effectively tackle these challenges. Potential measures may include placing individuals responsible for bomb threats on no-fly lists and legislative changes to strengthen the current legal framework.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that actions against these incidents are currently handled under criminal laws by the police, highlighting an urgent need for regulatory reforms.
