Bomb Threats Disrupt 10 Flights, Aviation Body Investigates
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has launched an investigation following bomb threats to 10 flights in under 48 hours, resulting in multiple emergency landings and disruptions.
One of the most notable incidents involved an Air India flight, AI 127, from Delhi to Chicago, which was diverted to Iqaluit airport in Canada after a security alert. The threat prompted precautionary measures, including re-screening of the aircraft and passengers.
Bomb Threats Disrupt Multiple Flights
The series of threats, issued from an unverified X (formerly Twitter) handle, affected seven flights on Tuesday alone. Among these, Air India’s flight to Chicago took off from Delhi at 3 am but diverted mid-route to Canada due to security concerns. The airline activated emergency protocols to ensure the safety of passengers while coordinating with local agencies at the Iqaluit airport.
IndiGo and Air India Flights Make Emergency Landings
In another incident, IndiGo’s flight 6E 98 from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to Lucknow made an emergency landing in Jaipur. IndiGo emphasized that passenger and crew safety is their priority and confirmed close cooperation with authorities during the investigation. Additionally, Air India Express flight IX 765 from Jaipur to Ayodhya was diverted around 2 pm following a similar threat.
Other Flights Affected by Bomb Alerts
Additional bomb threats targeted other flights, including an Akasa Air flight QP 1373 from Bagdogra to Bengaluru and an Alliance Air flight 9I 650 from Amritsar to Dehradun and Delhi. Air India Express flight IX 684, bound for Singapore from Madurai, also faced disruptions due to the security alerts.
On Monday, three international flights, two operated by IndiGo and one by Air India from Mumbai, also received bomb threats. Air India’s AI119 flight, scheduled for New York’s JFK Airport, made an emergency landing in New Delhi as a precaution. These threats were later deemed hoaxes, but they have heightened security concerns across Indian aviation.
Authorities are actively investigating the source of these threats to ensure safety across all flights. The BCAS has emphasized its commitment to maintaining high security standards during this period of heightened alert.
