Amid a surge in bomb threats targeting airlines over the past few days, the Union Ministry of Electronics and IT has strongly criticized social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which has been used to circulate many of these hoaxes. Joint Secretary Sanket S Bhondve led a virtual meeting with airline and social media representatives, including X and Meta. Bhondve accused X of “abetting crime” by allowing the spread of such alarming rumors, according to sources.
Impact on Flights and Financial Losses
Over 120 flights operated by Indian airlines have been affected by these bomb threats. Just yesterday, 30 flights by IndiGo, Vistara, and Air India received similar threats. Airlines responded by following standard operating procedures, alerting authorities, and enforcing security protocols. According to former airline officials, these disruptions may have caused financial losses of around Rs 600 crore.
Government’s Response and Legal Amendments
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu addressed the media on Monday, assuring that the government is tackling the issue without compromising passenger safety. He warned that those responsible for circulating hoax threats would face serious consequences, including being placed on a no-fly list.
The government is also planning to amend the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, aiming to address offenses that occur when aircraft are still on the ground. Currently, aviation security laws mostly cover in-flight incidents. Naidu emphasized that the legal team is working on these changes and consultations with other ministries are underway.
Ongoing Investigation and Security Enhancements
When asked if there was a larger conspiracy behind the wave of threats, Naidu said an in-depth investigation is being conducted. “We can’t make assumptions without completing the investigation,” he stated.
The threats have caused panic among passengers and raised concerns for security agencies. Some international flights were even diverted due to the alerts. Naidu assured the public that authorities are handling the situation dynamically, learning from each case and coordinating closely with law enforcement.
Even though the threats have been hoaxes, security measures at airports have been significantly ramped up. “We are taking every threat seriously,” Naidu said, noting that surveillance has increased with more CCTV cameras and heightened security checks at airport checkpoints.
