At least 50 flights operated by Indian airlines received bomb threats on Sunday. Over the past two weeks, more than 350 flights have encountered similar hoax threats, with most of these threats issued through social media.
Akasa Air said that security alerts were issued to 15 of its flights. All aircraft have been cleared to be operational following extensive checks. While Vistara had alerts for 17 flights, IndiGo had threats for 18 flights.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu declared that the Centre is considering measures to prohibit those who make bogus bomb threats from flying.
“We are also taking the support of international agencies, law enforcement agencies and the Intelligence Bureau to prevent these. We are planning to bring changes to two civil aviation laws. Those who resort to these kinds of activities will be punished severely and imposed a penalty. We are also taking steps to ban such persons from flying. We will announce them in the coming days,” he informed.
The IT Ministry has instructed social media firms to exercise vigilance and swiftly delete false information in accordance with IT regulations in response to the growing number of hoax threats.
Given the gravity of the threats, the government has begun to track out those responsible of these hoaxes and has requested information about them from social media platforms like Meta and X. According to a senior official, public safety requires cooperation.
Although their whereabouts and names have not been made public, the report stated that some of the people who made false threats were recently traced.
Also Read: ADC Bank Marks Centenary with Launch of 700 CSR Programmes in Villages
