Bomb Hoax Forces Emergency Landing in Calcutta, Aviation on High Alert
An Alliance Air flight from Lilabari in Assam made an emergency landing at Calcutta airport on Sunday following a bomb hoax, one of nearly 25 flights targeted by false bomb threats that day.
This incident is part of a larger pattern affecting nearly 100 flights from Indian carriers over the past week, leading to delays, diversions, and emergency landings.
Spate of Bomb Hoaxes Affects Multiple Airlines
The bomb hoaxes have impacted major airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, and Akasa Air. These false alarms have affected both domestic and international flights, including routes to countries like Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Germany.
Alliance Air’s Lilabari-Calcutta flight, carrying 73 passengers, declared a full emergency around 2:02 pm on Sunday after Calcutta air traffic control received a bomb threat. The flight landed safely at 2:15 pm and was directed to an isolation bay, where passengers were frisked, and baggage was inspected. By 3:05 pm, security checks were completed, confirming the threat was a hoax.
Authorities Plan Action as Airline CEOs Discuss Threats
In response to the surge in bomb hoaxes, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) held a meeting with airline CEOs to discuss countermeasures. Sources from the civil aviation ministry indicated plans to take strict action against the individuals responsible, potentially placing hoax callers on a no-fly list.
Vistara and IndiGo confirmed receiving multiple bomb threats on October 20. Affected Vistara flights included international routes such as Delhi to Frankfurt and Singapore to Mumbai, while IndiGo reported security alerts on flights from Delhi to Istanbul, Jeddah to Mumbai, and more.
Air India also acknowledged receiving bomb threats for flights operating on the same day. In each case, security procedures were immediately activated, and all passengers safely disembarked after thorough checks.
Financial and Operational Impact on Airlines
The bomb hoaxes have caused significant disruption, delaying flights, inconveniencing passengers, and resulting in financial losses for the airlines. Airline officials expressed concern over the escalating situation and the impact on operations across the aviation network.
