Bomb hoax threats spark Indian airlines chaos

NEW DELHI:

More than 90 fake bomb threats have been made against flights operated by multiple Indian airlines this week, Indian media reported on Sunday, sparking fear among passengers, global delays, and taking a heavy toll on their schedules and costs.

At least 30 hoax threats were made on Saturday, and at least 20 more threats were made on Sunday. All flights landed safely, but the spate of threats has resulted in planes being diverted to Canada and Germany, and fighter jets were scrambled to escort aircraft in the skies above Britain and Singapore.

New Delhi's civil aviation authorities have not said how many threats have been received in the past week, but the Times of India and broadcaster News18 reported more than 70 hoaxes targeting both domestic and international flights since October 13.

India's IndiGo airline confirmed threats were made against six of its flights on Sunday. Two were on domestic routes, and four were international—linking Indian cities to Saudia Arabia's Jeddah and Dammam, as well as two separate flights to Istanbul in Turkey.

"The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our highest priority," IndiGo said in a statement. "We are working closely with the relevant authorities and taking all necessary precautions." India's government and civil aviation authorities have warned that "very strict action" will be taken.

At least one person—a minor—has been arrested in India, but the threats have continued. "All others responsible for the disruptions will be identified and duly prosecuted," India's aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said after the arrest on Wednesday.

A report in The Indian Express said that an anonymous account on X, formerly Twitter, was suspended after posting bomb threats to at least 40 flights on Friday and Saturday. This included both Indian and international airlines, including from the United States and New Zealand.

Among the recent flights impacted was an Air India plane from New Delhi to Chicago, which was forced to make an emergency landing in the far northern Canadian city of Iqaluit on Tuesday. Canada's airforce had to fly the passengers onward.

The same day, Singapore scrambled fighter jets to escort an Air India Express plane. On Thursday, British RAF fighter jets escorted an Air India Boeing 777-300 after a threat was made against the plane, which landed safely in London.