Over 100 Indian flights receive bomb threats in a single day

NEW DELHI, Oct 29: Over 100 flights operated by Indian airlines received bomb threats on Tuesday, part of a series in which over 510 domestic and international flights faced similar hoax threats in the last 16 days, mostly from social media, raising concerns about aviation security.

Air India received bomb threats for about 36 flights, IndiGo for around 35 flights and Vistara for 32 flights, according to sources.

“Following the laid down protocols, relevant authorities were immediately alerted, and all security procedures strictly adhered to, as per guidance from the regulatory authorities,” an airline spokesperson told a news agency.

The Mumbai police have filed a case against an unidentified person after three airlines received bomb threats on their X accounts, an official said on Tuesday.

IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara received these threats on Monday, which were confirmed to be hoaxes after verification, the official added.

Mumbai Police have registered 14 FIRs in October related to bomb threats against airlines. In response to the increasing number of hoax threats, the IT Ministry has instructed social media platforms to take necessary actions and quickly remove or disable access to misinformation as per IT rules.

Moreover, the civil aviation ministry is considering legislative measures to address the issue of hoax bomb threats targeting airlines.

Civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Sunday that the Centre is considering measures to ban individuals who make hoax bomb threats from flying, aiming to address the growing issue of such threats affecting airlines.

On Saturday, Delhi Police arrested a 25-year-old man from Uttam Nagar for allegedly sending two bomb threats to airlines.

The two posts were sent to the IGI Airport police early on Saturday who are already on “high alert” due to the regular hoax messages.

Police said they immediately registered a case under the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation (SUA-SCA) Act and section of criminal intimidation under the BNS.

Modi, Spanish PM Sanchez Inaugurate C-295 Aircraft Facility In Gujarat

VADODARA, Oct 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez in Gujarat's Vadodara.

A total of 56 aircraft are there under the C-295 programme, of which 16 are being delivered directly by the aircraft manufacturing company Airbus from Spain, and the remaining 40 will be built at the facility, which is the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in India.

It will involve the full development of a complete ecosystem from the manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft. The Ministry of Defence in 2021 signed a ₹ 21,935-crore contract with Airbus Defense and Space SA, Spain for the supply of 56 aircraft.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Modi said the aircraft manufactured at the Vadodara facility will also be exported in the future.

"The Tata-Airbus manufacturing facility will strengthen the India-Spain relations and the 'Make in India, Make for the World' mission," Modi, who laid the foundation stone of the FAL plant of C-295 aircraft in Vadodara in October 2022, said.

He also paid tribute to former Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata, who is said to be the brains behind the project. Tata died at the age of 86 earlier this month.

"Recently, we lost the country's great son Ratan Tata ji. If he had been among us today, he would have been happy, but wherever his soul is, he would be happy," he said.

At the event, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran said the project was originally conceived by Ratan Tata in 2012.

“I will fail in my duty if I forget to mention that this project was originally conceived more than a decade ago, in 2012, by the then Tata Sons Chairman, Ratan Tata ji, who led the whole concept to build a relationship with Airbus and created this partnership with Airbus and laid the foundation stone for this opportunity. So, I would like to remember him for his visionary leadership in this very path-breaking initiative," he said.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez said the partnership between Airbus and Tata will contribute to the progress of the Indian aerospace industry and will “open new doors” for the arrival of other European companies.

“This project brings together the best of two worlds. Tata is probably the best exponent of Indian industrial strength. Its products and services are present in virtually every country on the planet. Tata is a giant among giants,” he said.

“This project strengthens our industrial ties while underlying our country's deep commitment as a reliable and strategic partner," Pedro added.

This plant will be a symbol of "industrial excellence, an engine of growth and a testament to the close and growing friendship", he said.

The C-295 is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the Indian Air Force's ageing Avro-748 planes. The C-295 is known to be a superior aircraft used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers and for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft.

The aircraft, called "robust and reliable", with a flight endurance of up to 11 hours, can carry out multi-role operations under all weather conditions.

It can routinely operate day as well as night combat missions from desert to maritime environments.

The C-295 has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo. Short take-off/land from semi-prepared surfaces is another of its features.

All 56 aircraft under the agreement will also be fitted with an indigenous Electronic Warfare suite manufactured by Indian DPSUs - Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.

Unemployed Delhi Man Arrested For Threats To Airlines

NEW DELHI, Oct 26: A 25-year-old unemployed man from Delhi has been taken into custody for making hoax bomb threats, marking only the second arrest since a spate of such threats began being issued to airlines last week.

Officials from the Delhi Police said the man admitted to making the threats to draw attention to himself after seeing reports of similar calls on television.

Over 275 flights have received hoax bomb threats since October 14 and the Mumbai Police had taken a 17-year-old into custody last week.

The Delhi Police said on Saturday that two threat messages were received at the capital's Indira Gandhi International Airport between Friday night and early on Saturday from a social media account.

A case was registered and investigations revealed that the account belonged to Shubham Upadhyay from Rajapuri in west Delhi's Uttam Nagar area. Upadhyay was arrested and, on being questioned, revealed that he had made the threats to garner attention after seeing reports of similar calls on TV.

Officials said Upadhyay, 25, is unemployed and has studied up to Class 12.

"We reassure the public that all necessary security measures are in place, and there is no cause for alarm. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities," the Delhi Police said in a statement.

On October 16, the Mumbai Police had taken a 17-year-old school dropout from Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh into custody for threats made to four flights on October 14. After a dispute with a friend over money, the teenager had allegedly created an X handle in his name and made the threats to frame him.

Of the four flights to which the boy had ssued the threats, two were delayed - including Air India flight AI 119 from Mumbai to New York, which was diverted to New Delhi - and one had to be cancelled.

In an advisory sent to social media platforms on Friday, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said fake bomb threats issued to airlines pose a threat to public order and asked them to act against the spread of such misinformation at the earliest.

The ministry also warned the platforms of action if they did not follow their due diligence obligations.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu reiterated on Friday that the government will take strict action against the culprits and that the safety and security of airline passengers and crew remains its top priority.

"We are deeply concerned In the wake of recent hoax bomb threats disrupting air travel. I assure you that safety and security are our highest priorities, and we are committed to taking strict action against those behind these malicious acts. Let's work together to ensure safe skies for all," he posted on X.

Don't fly Air India from November 1 to 19: Khalistani terrorist Pannun's new threat

TORONTO, Oct 21: Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on Monday warned passengers not to fly on Air India flights from November 1 to 19. He asserted that an attack could take place on an Air India flight during the specified dates, which coincide with the "40th anniversary of the Sikh genocide".

The founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), who holds dual citizenship in Canada and the US, had issued a similar threat around the same time last year.

Pannun's fresh threat comes amid several airlines in India receiving multiple threat calls about potential bombings, all of which turned out to be hoaxes. It also occurred at a time when India and Canada are engaged in a murky diplomatic row following Canada's allegations of India targeting Khalistani elements in the country, including the murder of another terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In November 2023, Pannun released a video claiming that Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport would be renamed and would remain closed on November 19, warning people against flying on Air India that day. The National Investigation Agency charged him with criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, and various offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

In December last year, Pannun threatened to attack the Parliament on or before December 13, following reports of an alleged foiled plot to kill him. December 13 marks the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Parliament in 2001.

He also threatened to kill Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of State Police Gaurav Yadav on Republic Day this year. He also urged gangsters to unite and launch an attack on Mann on January 26.

Pannun has been designated a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs since July 2020 on charges of sedition and secessionism, as he leads SFJ, a group advocating for a separate sovereign Sikh state. A year prior to this, India banned SFJ as an "unlawful association" for engaging in "anti-national and subversive" activities.

In another development, on October 17, the United States charged a former officer of India's spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for allegedly directing a foiled plot to murder Pannun, a charge New Delhi has rejected as baseless allegations.

Bomb threats continue to disrupt Indian airlines, 24 flights affected today

NEW DELHI, Oct 20: A total of 24 flights operated by Indian airlines, including IndiGo, Vistara, Air India, and Akasa Air, received bomb threats on Sunday. The threats targeted both domestic and international routes.

IndiGo, one of the affected airlines, reported threats for flights such as Jeddah to Mumbai, Kozhikode to Dammam, Delhi to Istanbul, Mumbai to Istanbul, Pune to Jodhpur, and Goa to Ahmedabad. Vistara faced similar threats on routes including Delhi to Frankfurt, Singapore to Mumbai, Bali to Delhi, and Mumbai to Singapore.

In response to these threats, both IndiGo and Vistara immediately notified the relevant authorities and implemented necessary security measures. "The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and we are working closely with the relevant authorities and taking all necessary precautions as per the guidelines," IndiGo said in a statement.

Akasa Air also confirmed receiving security alerts for some of its flights. A spokesperson for the airline said, “Captains and crew members of respective flights followed the required emergency procedures, and prescribed safety and security protocols in coordination with the local authorities."

All impacted aircraft underwent thorough inspections and have been cleared for operations.

In total, over 90 bomb threats have been reported this week, most of which have been hoaxes. Civil aviation authorities and the Centre have issued strict warnings and vowed to take severe action against those responsible.

The Centre and the civil aviation authorities are treating the situation with utmost seriousness.

"This is something which is being looked into by the aviation regulator very seriously, and I think we are all aware of that. Definitely, they are working towards finding out solid solutions," said Asangba Chuba, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) convened a meeting on Saturday with airline representatives to discuss the situation. BCAS Director General Zulfiquar Hasan reassured passengers, saying, "Indian skies are absolutely safe. The current protocol (to deal with the situation) is robust and is being strictly followed. We reassure passengers that they should fly without any fear."

Air India Mumbai-London, 14 Other Flights Get Bomb Threats

NEW DELHI, Oct 17: An Air India flight from Mumbai to London declared an emergency onboard after receiving a bomb threat. Today, six Air India Express flights, five Air India, two Vistara and two IndiGo flights received bomb threats, adding to a list of threat calls airlines have received this week.

The aircraft was 'squawking 7700' - a code used by pilots of an aircraft to declare a general emergency. Online Flight tracking website, FlightRadar24, showed the Boeing 777, operated by Air India, taking off at 7:05 am (IST) from Mumbai circling over East England and declaring an emergency.

The AI129 flight declared an emergency an hour before landing. It was scheduled to land at Heathrow Airport in London at 12:05 pm (UK time).

As per the latest information from FlightRadar24, the aircraft is no longer 'squawking 7700' and landed at Heathrow Airport. 'Squawking 7700' notifies the nearby Air Traffic Controllers of the situation onboard the aircraft.

The pattern of airlines receiving bomb threats continued for the fourth consecutive day, with at least 34 aircraft getting threats in four days.

Confirming the threats, an Air India official said, "Five Air India flights received security threats on social media today. Regulatory bodies have been informed and all laid-down procedures have been strictly followed. All five flights have landed safely. Air India is committed to the safety of its passengers and crew and accords it the highest priority."

A Mumbai-bound Vistara flight with 147 persons on board was immediately taken to security checks on its arrival from Frankfurt following the Boeing 787 aircraft receiving a bomb threat, according to the airline.

"Vistara flight UK 028 operating from Frankfurt to Mumbai on 16 October 2024 was subject to a security threat received on social media. As per protocol, all relevant authorities were immediately informed. The aircraft safely landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai and was taken to the isolation bay where all customers were disembarked. We are fully cooperating with the security agencies to complete the mandatory security checks. At Vistara, the safety and security of our customers, crew and aircraft are of utmost importance to us," a Vistara spokesperson said.

At the same time, an IndiGo flight operating from Istanbul to Turkiye for Mumbai also received a bomb threat and was taken to an isolation bay here for the security agencies to carry out a comprehensive security check.

IndiGo in a statement said, "Flight 6E 18, operating from Istanbul to Mumbai, received a security-related alert. Upon landing, the aircraft was isolated, and all passengers were safely disembarked." The airline worked closely with the relevant authorities, and standard operating procedures were followed, it said.

The Centre and civil authorities are working together to handle the crisis. The Home Ministry asked the Civil Aviation Ministry to send a detailed report on the incidents. Airlines have been asked by the aviation ministry to provide inputs on the bomb scare incidents, based on which, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will prepare a report.

A Parliamentary Standing Committee met over the issue yesterday. This was preceded by a meeting called by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu with the Civil Aviation Ministry and DGCA officials.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and ensuring that We are committed to maintaining the highest security standards and passenger safety remains our topmost priority," Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said in a statement.

Sources said several steps will be taken to deal with such situations: Those who post bomb threats will be added to the 'Unruly Passengers' list. The airlines have suggested that they should be banned from flying for five years.

Sources said that airlines suggested that losses borne by them due to fake bomb threats should be recovered from the accused.

The names of those responsible for hoax calls will be shared with the airline and security agencies. The Civil Aviation Ministry is expected to share the guidelines soon. The ministry will also share a detailed report on the bomb scare investigation in two days.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to stay alert at the airports.

Minor In Custody Over Bomb Threats To Airlines, Wanted To Frame Friend: Cops

MUMBAI, Oct 16: A minor has been taken into custody by the Mumbai Police over a series of bomb threats being issued to various airlines since Monday, leading to some flights being diverted, including one to a remote airport in Canada.

Police said the threats were allegedly issued because the boy wanted to frame one of his friends, with whom he had a dispute over money.

The 17-year-old boy, a school dropout from Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh, and his father had been summoned by the Mumbai Police on Tuesday. While he has been taken into custody and is being taken to a remand home, his father is still being questioned, police sources said. The teenager allegedly created a handle on X in the name of the friend with whom he had a dispute and posted bomb threats from it.

At least 19 threats have been issued, starting with four on Monday, and the Mumbai Police has registered three first information reports (FIRs). The teenager has currently been taken into custody in connection with the first FIR, which is about Monday's threats.

Police said that, on Monday, the boy had issued hoax threats to four flights, three of which were on international routes. Of these, two were delayed, including Air India flight AI 119 from Mumbai to New York, which was diverted to New Delhi, and one had to be cancelled.

At least seven flights were impacted on Tuesday, including Air India flight AI 127 from Delhi to Chicago, which was diverted to the Iqaluit airport in Canada. IndiGo flight 6E 98 from Damman in Saudi Arabia to Lucknow made an emergency landing in Jaipur and threats were received by Air India Express, Akasa Air and Alliance Air as well.

Tuesday's threats were issued from an X handle which began posting on the social media platform in the afternoon.

The hoax calls continued on Wednesday, with a New Delhi-Bengaluru Akasa Air flight (QP 1335) returning to the capital and Indigo's Mumbai-Delhi flight 6E 651 being diverted to Ahmedabad. Five other flights also received bomb threats, including two from SpiceJet.

The Delhi Police has also registered several FIRs in connection with the threats and the issue came up in a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on transport on Wednesday.

Hoax Calls Ground 7 Flights, Air India Jet Lands At Remote Canada Airport

NEW DELHI, Oct 15: An Air India direct flight from New Delhi to Chicago was diverted to Iqaluit Airport in Canada today following a hoax bomb threat which was posted online. A total of 10 flights have been grounded in less than 48 hours after receiving hoax threats.

Today, the Air India Delhi-Chicago flight, Dammam-Lucknow IndiGo flight, Ayodhya-Bengaluru Air India Express, a SpiceJet flight from Darbhanga to Mumbai (SG116), an Akasa Air flight from Bagdogra to Bengaluru (QP 1373) an Alliance Air Amritsar-Dehradun-Delhi flight (9I 650) and an Air India Express flight (IX 684) from Madurai to Singapore received bomb threats.

Yesterday, two IndiGo and one Air India flight also received fake threats.

"Flight AI127 operating from Delhi to Chicago on October 15, 2024, was the subject of a security threat posted online and, as a precautionary measure, has landed at Iqaluit Airport in Canada.

"The aircraft and passengers are being re-screened as per the laid down security protocol. Air India has activated agencies at the airport to assist the passengers until such time that their journey can resume," the airline said.

As per FlightRadar24, the Air India flight AI127 flight took off from New Delhi for Chicago at 3:00 am (IST) and was scheduled to land in Chicago at 7:00 am (US Time). The aircraft is a Boeing 777.

At 5:38 pm (IST) the flight is still at the airport in Canada. The flight is yet to take off.

"We are cognisant of a situation involving flight 6E 98 from Dammam, Saudi Arabia to Lucknow. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and we are working closely with the relevant authorities and taking all necessary precautions as per the guidelines," IndiGo said after the flight was grounded following a fake bomb threat.

The SpiceJet aircraft landed safely at the Mumbai airport and was directed to an isolation bay as a precautionary measure.

"All passengers disembarked normally and security agencies were immediately notified. After thorough security checks, the aircraft has been cleared for further operations," a SpiceJet spokesperson said.

An Akasa Air spokesperson said their flight received a security alert on board.

"The captain followed all required emergency procedures and landed safely at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru at 13:39 hours. All passengers were deplaned and the local authorities undertook the necessary safety and security checks after which the aircraft was released for operations," the spokesperson said.

An Alliance Air official said all "precautionary measures" were being taken for the Amritsar-Dehradun-Delhi flight, which was undergoing security checks at the Dehradun airport.

The fake bomb threats were made from an unverified X handle and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is investigating the matter.

Yesterday, three international flights, two operated by IndiGo and one by Air India, received fake security threats, leading to disruption in outbound international flight operations, as checks were initiated for all three planes involved. The total number of passengers across the two IndiGo flights was 258. One of the flights has already departed while the other will resume its journey this afternoon.

According to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), a total of three planes received bomb threats. "One IndiGo plane has been permitted to fly. The two other planes will get permission to fly soon," said the BCAS.

The first incident involved Air India flight AI119, scheduled to fly from Mumbai to New York's JFK Airport. Following a security alert, the flight was urgently diverted to New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport early in the morning. Passengers and crew were evacuated safely, and the aircraft was taken to an isolated runway. A bomb squad and other security agencies promptly began conducting a thorough inspection.

"Flight AI119 operating from Mumbai to JFK on October 14 received a specific security alert and on instructions of the government's security regulatory committee was diverted to Delhi. All passengers have disembarked and are at the Delhi airport terminal," an Air India spokesperson confirmed.

Simultaneously, two IndiGo flights originating from Mumbai were also affected. Flight 6E1275, bound for Muscat, and Flight 6E56, heading to Jeddah, received security threats, resulting in immediate measures being taken by the airline. According to an IndiGo spokesperson, both aircraft were moved to isolated bays at Mumbai Airport, following standard operating procedures. The Muscat-bound plane has already departed.

"As per protocol, the aircraft was taken to an isolated bay, and mandatory security checks were promptly initiated," the spokesperson said.

The second affected IndiGo flight, 6E56, heading to Jeddah, followed the same protocol. The airline reiterated that safety remains its top priority, and all steps were being taken to ensure the security of passengers and crew.

India's Aviation Body Investigating Bomb Threats To 10 Flights In Under 48 Hours

NEW DELHI, Oct 15: After ten planes received bomb threats in less than 48 hours, causing one of them to be diverted to a remote airport in Canada, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has said that it is investigating the episode.

Officials said Tuesday's threats were issued from an unverified handle on X, formerly Twitter.

Seven flights, including one bound for the United States, were affected on Tuesday after the threats were issued from an X handle which began posting on the social media platform in the afternoon.

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