Damn. I usually try not to write about aviation issues because most of these are not news and could happen to any airline (such as go-arounds and flight delays). But one issue that seems to be becoming a nuisance in Indian aviation is back to haunt airlines, and that is hoax bomb threats. Just a day ago, Air India and IndiGo received bomb threats, which turned out to be a hoax.

Air India diverts Delhi – Chicago flight to Iqaluit Airport due to security threat.

Today, Air India received an online bomb threat for its non-stop flight between New Delhi and Chicago. The airline diverted the flight to Iqaluit Airport in Canada on the eastern seaboard.

It turns out that the aircraft is less than 1,000 miles from its eventual destination, Chicago (ORD) airport. The airport is small and in a zero-degree environment, so I am sure Air India does not want its aircraft, passengers, and crew sitting there. A planespotter posted some images on X.

Air India also posted a statement on the diversion, and clearly, they are expressing their displeasure about the threats, which are hoaxes (but they cannot be taken lightly).

Flight Al127 operating from Delhi to Chicago on October 15, 2024, was the subject of a security threat posted online and, as a precautionary measure, has landed at Iqaluit Airport in Canada. The aircraft and passengers are being re-screened as per the laid down security protocol. Air India has activated agencies at the airport to assist the passengers until such time that their journey can resume.

Air India notes that it, and other local airlines, have been subject to a number of threats in recent days. Though all have subsequently been found to be hoaxes, as a responsible airline operator all threats are taken seriously. The inconvenience to customers is sincerely regretted.

Air India is extending all cooperation to authorities in identifying the perpetrators of such threats to ensure that they are held accountable for the disruption and inconvenience caused to passengers, and will consider legal action against
those responsible to recover damages incurred by the airline.

IndiGo and Air India Express also receive threats.

Air India was one of many to receive a threat today. IndiGo’s 6E98, operating between Dammam and Lucknow, had to divert to Jaipur after a security threat.

Air India Express, operating a flight between Ayodhya and Bengaluru (IX765), had to delay its flight because of the threat posed for the flight.

Another Air India Express aircraft, operating Madurai – Singapore IX684 also got a threat, with someone mailing in Air India Express about a bomb on board. The flight was closing in for a landing at Singapore Changi, and the Singapore Government scrambled fighter jets to escort the plane away from populated areas of Singapore. The plane finally landed at Changi Airport.

(1/3) Air India Express received an email that there was a bomb on board flight AXB684 that was bound for Singapore. Two of our RSAF F-15SGs scrambled and escorted the plane away from populated areas, to finally land safely at Singapore Changi Airport at around 10:04pm tonight. pic.twitter.com/tOzo6wgT5E

— Ng Eng Hen (@Ng_Eng_Hen) October 15, 2024

This makes it seven hoax threats in two days and does not even account for the many hoax threats various airlines issued earlier in the year. The issues behind the hoax calls have yet to be substantiated. Indian laws are not being punitive enough on said hoax callers to dissuade them from doing this repeatedly.

Bottomline

Air India, IndiGo, and Air India Express all saw disruptions to their flights today. Air India diverted a Delhi—Chicago flight to Iqaluit, Canada, IndiGo diverted a Lucknow-bound flight to Jaipur, and Air India Express delayed a domestic departure and had a messy arrival for its Madurai to Singapore flight. Aviation security is a serious business; the airlines and security officials must ensure that each threat is checked out when received.

What do you make of the increasing issues concerning hoax bomb threats in India concerning airlines?

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