The Indian government is formulating a new law to tackle the rising issue of hoax bomb threats targeting airlines. These false alarms disrupt flight schedules and cause immense inconvenience to passengers. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan stated that the government aims to amend the Civil Aviation Act of 1982 to allow for the arrest and investigation of offenders without requiring a court order.
The proposed legislation will also introduce stricter penalties, including placing perpetrators on a no-fly list, in an effort to deter such incidents.
In recent weeks, the frequency of hoax bomb threats has surged, with over 120 flights operated by Indian carriers receiving such warnings in a span of less than two weeks. The latest wave of threats has impacted multiple airlines, forcing them to divert flights for security checks, significantly affecting their operations.
IndiGo, a prominent Indian airline, reported that nine of its flights bound for Saudi Arabia and Turkey had to be diverted due to these threats, reflecting the extent of the problem.
Authorities and airlines have been taking these hoax threats seriously, implementing standard security protocols to ensure passenger safety. Despite the false alarms, security checks and emergency landings have caused flight delays and disruptions.
Indian Government Proposes Stricter Law to Combat Surge in Hoax Bomb Threats Targeting Airlines
However, tracking down those responsible has proven difficult, with most offenders still untraced. In one case, Mumbai police detained a 17-year-old boy from Chhattisgarh for allegedly making bomb threats on airline social media accounts, motivated by a personal dispute.
The situation escalated when, on a single night, 30 flights from various airlines including IndiGo, Vistara, and Air India received bomb threats. These incidents underscore the urgency of establishing a legal framework to penalize those behind the hoaxes.
Airlines, already facing operational challenges, have been coordinating with authorities to handle the security checks and minimize disruption, but the financial and logistical burden has been substantial.
Minister Rammohan has emphasized that even though the bomb threats are hoaxes, they cannot be taken lightly given the widespread disruption they cause. The government’s push for new legislation reflects its commitment to addressing the issue with a strong legal deterrent.
The proposed changes aim to protect passengers, ensure the smooth functioning of airlines, and send a clear message that such actions will not go unpunished.
