Indian Airlines and Airports Hit by Record 999 False Bomb Threats in 2024

As of November 14, 2024, Indian airlines and airports have received 999 false bomb threats, an alarming figure that is nearly ten times higher than the total recorded throughout 2023.

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The Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, presented these figures to parliament in response to questions about the security of the country’s air operations, according to the associated media outlet Aeroin.

The threats were primarily made via social media and impacted the aviation sector in one of the world’s fastest-growing air transport markets. Fortunately, all threats were confirmed to be false, with no records of actual threats detected at Indian airports or on aircraft.

False threats

“The recent threats were false, and no real threats were identified in any operations,” the minister assured during his statement.

Particularly concerning was the situation during the last two weeks of October, when more than 500 bomb threats were reported, a volume that surpassed the total for the rest of the year. As a result of investigations into these threats, 12 individuals were detained in connection with 256 police reports filed to date.

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The surge in false threats raises serious concerns about security and its impact on air transport, causing disruptions and increasing the workload of security authorities.

Given that India is one of the largest aviation markets in the world, it is crucial to implement effective measures to address these threats, ensuring passenger safety and the integrity of aviation operations.

Authorities are under pressure to improve their surveillance and response to incidents to maintain public trust and safety at the country’s airports.