Nearly 30 more flights receive bomb threats, tally crosses 120 in just over a week

The series of bomb threats targeting Indian airlines continued on Tuesday, as nearly 30 flights, operating on both domestic and international routes, received fresh bomb threats, the airline confirmed. This marks the latest in a string of incidents that have disrupted over 120 flights in a little over a week.

The IndiGo flights affected by the threats include key international routes such as 6E-63 Delhi-Jeddah, 6E-12 Istanbul-Delhi, and 6E-83 Delhi-Dammam, alongside domestic routes like 6E-164 Mangalore-Mumbai and 6E-118 Lucknow-Pune. The airline swiftly responded by following established security protocols and working closely with relevant authorities.

“At IndiGo, the safety of our customers and crew remains paramount in all facets of our operations. We worked closely with the relevant authorities, and standard operating procedures were followed. We sincerely regret any inconvenience it may have caused our customers and appreciate their understanding,” an official IndiGo statement read.

In addition to IndiGo, Vistara also faced similar disruptions. The airline confirmed that 10 of its flights were targeted by bomb threats between Monday and Tuesday, prompting security checks at airports across the country. A spokesperson from Vistara said, “We confirm that a few of Vistara’s flights operating on 21 October 2024 received security threats on social media. We alerted the authorities and are following all security procedures as directed by them.”

In total, more than 120 flights operated by Indian airlines have received bomb threats in the past week. While most of these threats have turned out to be hoaxes, they have caused significant operational challenges for airlines, which are required to follow stringent safety protocols during such incidents.

Authorities continue to investigate the source of these threats, while aviation security agencies remain on high alert. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) are actively coordinating with the airlines and law enforcement agencies to ensure safety and minimize disruptions.