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12 Indian aircraft receive security alerts; airlines working with authorities

On Saturday, ten hoax bomb threats were received by multiple airlines

Published: Sun 20 Oct 2024, 2:05 PM

Updated: Sun 20 Oct 2024, 3:27 PM

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Twelve Indian airlines reported security 'situations' on board on Sunday, according to ANI as the airlines released statements. Six alerts were received by IndiGo, with the other six by Akasa Air.

IndiGo said in all the statements that it was aware of a 'situation' on the respective flights.

It further added that it was working closely with relevant authorities and taking all necessary precautions as per the guidelines.

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The six flights are:

  • Flight 6E 58 operating from Jeddah to Mumbai
  • Flight 6E 87 operating from Kozhikode to Dammam
  • Flight 6E 11 operating from Delhi to Istanbul
  • Flight 6E 17 operating from Mumbai to Istanbul
  • Flight 6E 133 operating from Pune to Jodhpur
  • Flight 6E 112 operating from Goa to Ahmedabad

The airline emphasised that the 'safety and security of our passengers and crew is our highest priority'.

On the other hands, Akasa Air's Emergency Response team was immediately activated and initiated all standard operating procedures, including informing regulatory authorities and monitoring the situation in real-time, the airline said in its statement.

The flights that received the threats were:

  • QP 1102 flying from Ahmedabad to Mumbai
  • QP 1378 flying from Delhi to Goa
  • QP 1385 flying from Mumbai to Bagdogra
  • QP 1406 flying from Delhi to Hyderabad
  • QP 1519 flying from Kochi to Mumbai
  • QP 1526 flying from Lucknow to Mumbai

As per the airline, all captains and crew members of respective flights followed the required emergency procedures and prescribed safety and security protocols in coordination with local authorities.

The needs of passengers were addressed, including refreshments. Furthermore, the aircraft were inspected and after thorough procedures they were 'released for operations'.

On Saturday, ten hoax bomb threats were received by multiple airlines. Five hoax bomb threats were received by Spice jet and five more were received by Air Asia. This included an Air India flight from Dubai to Jaipur with 189 passengers on board.

More than 70 fake bomb threats have been made against flights operated by multiple Indian airlines this week, Indian media reported Sunday, sparking fear among passengers and global delays.

New Delhi's civil aviation authorities have not said how many threats have been received in the past week, but the Times of India and broadcaster News18 reported more than 70 hoaxes targeting both domestic and international flights since October 13.

At least 30 hoax threats were made on Saturday alone.

The global impact of delays and diversions has been heavy on airline schedules and costs.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is in talks with the other concerned ministries to make required amendments in the existing laws to make them more stringent to deal with the cases of hoax bomb threats for flights, ministry's sources said.

The accused person will be put on a no-fly list, said a senior official in the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Friday.

The official said that a committee will be formed in consultation with the law ministry and Ministry of Home Affairs to prepare a draft to make amendments to the Aircraft Act, 1934 and Aircraft Rules, 1937 and subordinate legislations to ensure a 5-year imprisonment as well as placing offenders on a no-fly list for hoax bomb threats for flights.

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