In October 2024, Indian airlines experienced an unprecedented wave of hundreds of bomb threats, disrupting hundreds of domestic and international flights. This series of incidents has impacted major carriers, including IndiGo, Vistara, Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, resulting in significant delays, emergency security responses, and increased vigilance across the aviation sector. Strikingly, no threats have been issued against non-Indian airlines, despite the global nature of many targeted routes—an unusual aspect of this situation, given that aviation threats typically don’t discriminate based on nationality, unless in case of specific country-related revendications, for example in threats relating to conflicts.
Nature and Content of Threats
The threats have largely emerged through anonymous messages on social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter). Many messages claimed the presence of explosives or multiple “bombers” on board certain flights. In one example, a message asserted there were “12 bombers” across six IndiGo flights. Specific flights frequently mentioned include routes from Delhi to Istanbul, Mumbai to Istanbul, and Jeddah to Mumbai, as well as a range of domestic routes like Jodhpur to Delhi and Goa to Ahmedabad. These statements, though lacking specific revendications or demands, have led authorities to initiate stringent security protocols for each affected flight.
The absence of political or conflict-related backgrounds in these threats is really surprising, as such motives are often present in similar incidents globally. Not naming any revendication is strange and instead, this wave appears more aligned with intention of disruption or thrill-seeking rather than any organized agenda.
Investigation and Origins
Indian authorities, along with airline security teams, have responded rapidly to each threat by isolating aircraft, disembarking passengers for safety, and working with social media platforms to trace the threat origins. Initial findings indicate multiple sources for the threats, with each incident likely an independent, uncoordinated act rather than a structured attack. In one case, Mumbai police detained a minor from Chhattisgarh in connection with a hoax threat, highlighting the role of opportunistic individuals engaging in copycat behavior. The nature of these threats points to motives that are less ideological or political and more likely thrill-seeking or attention-driven.
Not knowing anything about, for example, an X account’s owner forces authorities to consider each threat equally seriously and no complacency is allowed here, as this could let one real threat being not treated as requested.
Government and Law Enforcement Response
In addition to heightened security protocols, the Indian government is moving quickly to impose stronger legal consequences for individuals responsible for bomb threats. Key measures include a proposed addition of perpetrators to a national no-fly list, effectively banning them from future flights. Further, amendments to the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982, are being fast-tracked to allow for immediate investigation and detention without court orders in specific cases. The government’s partnership with social media platforms is also evolving, aiming for faster identification of threat sources and enhanced monitoring of suspicious activity.
Implications and Future Outlook
The increased penalties and stricter legal framework are intended to deter future threats, particularly from individuals seeking short-term disruption or attention. With these measures, authorities hope to limit copycat incidents, though it remains uncertain how quickly the threat wave will subside. If the legislation and no-fly policies are effective, we may see a decrease in hoax threats in the near term, returning stability to Indian aviation operations.
Sources
- “Bomb threats received for 30 Indian airlines flights on October 21.” New Indian Express.
- “85 Flights Receive Fresh Bomb Threats, 25 Akasa Planes Affected.” ABP Live.
- “6 IndiGo Flights Among 20 Airlines to Receive Bomb Threats Today.” India Today.
- “Five Flights from and to India Receive Bomb Threats Through Social Media.” Mid-Day.
- “At Least 24 Flights Got Bomb Threats on Sunday, Week’s Tally Over 80.” Hindustan Times.
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