Aviation authority investigates bomb threats to 20 flights in 48 hours

In a concerning development, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is investigating a series of bomb threats made to 20 flights within a span of less than 48 hours. Among the affected flights was Air India Flight AI 127 from Delhi to Chicago, which was diverted to Iqaluit Airport in Canada due to a bomb threat.

The threats were issued from an unverified account on X, formerly known as Twitter. The handle began posting threatening messages on the social media platform on Tuesday afternoon, impacting seven flights, including one heading to the United States.

Air India reported that Flight AI 127, which departed from Delhi at 3 am, landed at Iqaluit Airport as a precautionary measure following the security threat. "The aircraft and passengers are being re-screened as per the established security protocol. Air India has activated agencies at the airport to assist passengers until their journey can resume," the airline stated.

IndiGo Flight 6E 98, traveling from Dammam in Saudi Arabia to Lucknow, made an emergency landing in Jaipur due to a bomb threat. An IndiGo spokesperson emphasized, "The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our highest priority. We are working closely with the relevant authorities and taking all necessary precautions."

Another affected flight, Air India Express IX 765, was en route from Jaipur to Ayodhya and made an emergency landing in Ayodhya around 2 pm. Additionally, an Akasa Air flight from Bagdogra to Bengaluru (QP 1373), an Alliance Air flight from Amritsar to Dehradun to Delhi (9I 650), and an Air India Express flight from Madurai to Singapore (IX 684) received similar threats, according to sources.

On Monday, three international flights—two operated by IndiGo and one by Air India—departing from Mumbai also received bomb threats, which were later determined to be hoaxes. Air India Flight AI 119, scheduled from Mumbai to New York's JFK Airport, had to make an emergency landing in New Delhi.

Senior airline officials expressed concern over the financial impact of these hoax calls, stating, "Such hoax calls have a significant financial impact, but we have no choice but to take them seriously."