If a bomb threat is received while a flight is airborne, an alert is immediately issued, and the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) at the nearest airport is convened
In the past week, a series of bomb threats targeting dozens of flights have raised serious concerns about aviation safety in India. Although all the threats were ultimately hoaxes, they caused significant disruption to airline operations and created anxiety among passengers and crew members.
“Despite strict pre-departure security checks at Indian airports, we take bomb threats very seriously, knowing fully well that most will turn out to be fake,” said an official from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
What Happens When a Bomb Threat Is Received?
If a bomb threat is received while a flight is airborne, an alert is immediately issued, and the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) at the nearest airport is convened. The BTAC evaluates the threat and determines the appropriate response.
If the threat is considered legitimate or “specific,” the flight crew coordinates with Air Traffic Control (ATC) to decide the next steps. Depending on the flight’s location, the aircraft may return to the departure airport, continue to its destination, or divert to the nearest available airport.
For flights that have not yet taken off, the aircraft is moved to a secluded bay for thorough security checks, following consultations with the BTAC. In cases involving international flights that have left Indian airspace, Indian authorities must work closely with international ATC and security agencies to determine the safest course of action, which often involves diverting the flight to the nearest airport.
Aviation Authorities Taking Steps
The Indian government and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) are actively working to address the spate of bomb threats. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Asangba Chuba Ao, Joint Secretary at MoCA, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.
“This [hoax bomb threats] is something that is being looked into very seriously by the aviation regulator. They are working towards finding solid solutions,” he said.
These consecutive bomb threats, though false, have highlighted the importance of maintaining stringent security measures while minimizing the impact on passengers and airline operations. Authorities are now focused on ensuring a more robust response to such incidents without compromising safety.