The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has ramped up measures to address the situation. Mohol stated that a Bomb Threat Contingency Plan (BTCP) is in place, supported by Bomb Threat Assessment Committees (BTACs) at each airport
Indian domestic airlines have reported an alarming 1,143 hoax bomb threats between August 2022 and November 13, 2024, with a sharp increase in such incidents this year, government data reveals. The number of hoax calls surged to 994 in 2024 alone, highlighting growing concerns over aviation security.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, responding to a query from Rajya Sabha MP Kartikeya Sharma, confirmed the unsettling trend. “As many as 27 hoax bomb threat calls were received between August and December 2022. The number increased to 122 in 2023, while the current year alone witnessed a sharp rise, with 994 calls reported as of mid-November 2024,” Mohol said.
He clarified that the threats were random and not aimed at specific stations, yet their impact on flight operations has been significant. “These disruptions have led to delays and operational challenges for several flights,” he added, underscoring the strain on airport security and the broader aviation sector.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has ramped up measures to address the situation. Mohol stated that a Bomb Threat Contingency Plan (BTCP) is in place, supported by Bomb Threat Assessment Committees (BTACs) at each airport to evaluate and respond swiftly to such incidents.
October 2024 emerged as the most troubling month, with 680 hoax threats reported, according to the data. IndiGo was the hardest hit, receiving 197 threats, followed by Air India (191), Vistara (151), Akasa Air (67), and SpiceJet (29).
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, addressing a separate query from MP Sikander Kumar, acknowledged gaps in the legal framework to deal specifically with hoax bomb threats. He assured that the government is actively considering amendments to the Aircraft Act, 1934, to strengthen legal deterrents.
“Under Section 3(1)(d) of *The Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982*, any person found communicating false information that endangers the safety of an aircraft can face life imprisonment and a fine,” Naidu explained. Proposed amendments to the Act and the Aircraft (Security) Rules, 2023, are currently under consultation to address these evolving threats.
The surge in hoax threats not only disrupts operations but also places immense pressure on security agencies, airlines, and passengers. With the aviation sector expanding rapidly, the need for stringent measures and legal provisions has become more pressing than ever.
