How hoax bomb threats are hurting air travel in India

In India, the airline industry is facing a serious issue with a rise in hoax bomb threats that are causing significant disruptions to air travel. India is known for being one of the fastest-growing airline markets globally, and this surge in false threats is creating chaos for airlines and passengers alike. Recently, an Air India Express flight, which was supposed to travel from Mumbai to Chicago, had to make an unexpected landing in Iqaluit, Canada, due to a bomb threat. The flight, carrying 211 passengers, was diverted early on October 15, and the passengers found themselves in a remote location, far from their intended destination. One of the passengers, Harit Sachdeva, expressed his frustration on social media, stating, 'We have been stuck at the airport since 5am with 200 passengers… We have no idea what’s happening or what we are supposed to do next… We are completely stranded. ' He acknowledged the kindness of the airport staff but criticized Air India for not providing enough information to the passengers. After several hours of uncertainty, a Canadian Air Force plane eventually transported the stranded passengers to Chicago. Air India confirmed that the diversion was due to a 'security threat posted online,' which turned out to be a false alarm. This incident is part of a troubling trend, as there have been at least 90 hoax threats targeting Indian airlines this year, leading to numerous flight diversions, cancellations, and delays. In June, a single day saw a spike in threats sent via email, prompting heightened security measures. Additionally, a Vistara flight bound for Frankfurt was diverted to Turkey in September due to a bomb threat. The frequency of these hoaxes highlights a growing concern within the aviation sector, particularly at major airports like Delhi and Mumbai. The Indian government is taking these threats seriously. Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, the federal aviation minister, expressed his deep concern over the disruptive acts targeting Indian airlines, stating, 'Such mischievous and unlawful actions are a matter of grave concern. I condemn attempts to compromise safety, security, and operational integrity of our aviation sector. ' Experts suggest that hoax bomb threats are often linked to various motives, including malicious intent, attention-seeking behavior, mental health issues, or simply pranks. In 2018, a similar incident in Indonesia involved passengers causing flight disruptions. Even passengers themselves have been known to create hoaxes, such as a man in Bihar who called in a bomb threat after missing his check-in. These hoaxes are wreaking havoc in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets, where over 150 million passengers flew domestically last year. The civil aviation ministry reports that more than 3,000 flights operate daily across more than 150 airports in India, including 33 international airports. Last week, the number of hoaxes peaked even as Indian airlines carried a record number of passengers on October 14. India currently has just under 700 commercial passenger planes in service, with a backlog of over 1,700 aircraft orders, according to Rob Morris of Cirium, a consultancy. He stated, 'All this would certainly render India the fastest growing commercial aircraft market today. ' The impact of bomb threats on airlines is significant, as they inconvenience passengers and disrupt flight schedules. When a bomb threat is reported, if the plane is already in the air, it must divert to the nearest airport, as seen with the Air India flight that landed in Canada. In some cases, fighter jets are scrambled to escort planes reporting threats, as was the case with two flights last week. Once the plane lands, passengers must disembark, and all baggage, cargo, and catering undergo thorough searches. This process can take several hours, and often the same crew cannot continue flying due to duty hour limitations, necessitating the arrangement of a replacement crew, which further prolongs delays. Sidharath Kapur, an independent aviation expert, noted, 'All of this has significant cost and network implications. Every diverted or delayed flight incurs substantial expenses, as grounded aircraft become money-losing assets. Delays lead to cancellations, and schedules are thrown off balance. ' The dramatic rise in bomb threats on social media from anonymous accounts has complicated efforts to identify the perpetrators. The motives behind these threats remain unclear, and it is uncertain whether they originate from a single individual, a group, or are simply copycat acts. Last week, Indian authorities arrested a 17-year-old school dropout for creating a social media account to issue such threats. His motivations are still unknown, but he is believed to have targeted four flights, resulting in two delays, one diversion, and one cancellation. Investigators suspect that some posts may have originated from London and Germany after tracing IP addresses. Clearly, tracking down hoaxers presents a significant challenge. While Indian law mandates life imprisonment for threats to airport safety or service disruption, this punishment may be too severe for hoax calls and would likely not withstand legal scrutiny. There are suggestions that the government is considering placing offenders on a no-fly list and introducing new laws that could impose a five-year prison term. Ultimately, these hoax threats can cause serious anxiety for passengers. An aviation consultant shared that his aunt called him to ask if she should take her booked flight given these threats. She asked, 'Should I take a train? ' He reassured her, saying, 'Please continue to fly. ' The threats continue to disrupt lives and sow fear among travelers.