Passenger Safety Threatened By Series Of Hoax Security Alerts In Indian Aviation

A recent wave of hoax threats has raised concerns over passenger safety across multiple domestic and international flights, prompting significant security responses from airlines and authorities alike.

Airlines Respond To Security Alerts Following Hoax Bomb Threats

An Indigo flight from Jodhpur to Delhi (Flight 6E 184) received a security alert, as stated in a press release from Indigo on Saturday. Following the alert, the flight safely landed at Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Indigo press statement stated, “Flight 6E 184, operating from Jodhpur to Delhi received a security-related alert. The aircraft has landed in Delhi and customers have disembarked the aircraft, we are coordination with the security agencies as per procedure. Ensuring the safety and security of our customers and crew remains paramount in all facets of our operations. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this situation may have caused our customers and appreciate their understanding.”

In addition to Flight 6E 184, IndiGo issued statements regarding two other flights heading to Istanbul: Flight 6E 17 from Mumbai and Flight 6E 11 from Delhi.

Both flights subjected to security precautions in light of the ongoing alerts.

The statement for flight 6E 17 stated, “We are cognisant of a situation involving flight 6E 17 operating from Mumbai to Istanbul. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and we are working closely with the relevant authorities and taking all necessary precautions as per the guidelines.”

“We are cognisant of a situation involving flight 6E 11 operating from Delhi to Istanbul. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and we are working closely with the relevant authorities and taking all necessary precautions as per the guidelines,” the statement for flight 6E 11 said.

Moreover, Flight 6E 108 from Hyderabad to Chandigarh also faced a security-related alert, resulting in the aircraft being isolated upon landing.

Situation Escalated As 20 Flights Receive Bomb Threat Calls

Meanwhile, the situation escalated as reports emerged that a total of 20 flights received bomb threat calls, impacting several airlines, including:

• 5 Akasa (QP 1323, QP 1371, QP 1373, QP 1385, QP 1405),
• 5 Vistara (UK 106, UK 27, UK 107, UK 121, UK 131),
• 5 Air India (AI 101, AI 105, AI 126, AI 119, AI 161), and
• 5 Indigo (6E 11, 6E 17, 6E 58, 6E 108, 6E 184)

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has requested a comprehensive report from the Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding these incidents.

Over the past 48 hours, at least 13 bomb threats directed at various airlines were found to be hoaxes, yet they prompted extensive security measures that disrupted normal operations.

A senior official however disclosed that the MHA has instructed several agencies, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Intelligence Bureau (IB), to submit detailed reports on the recent bomb threats.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has kept MHA officials informed about the situation, providing timely updates on the unfolding events.

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