New Delhi: Over the past 24 hours, India has witnessed a wave of bomb threats directed at six different flights, creating widespread alarm and significant disruption for passengers. These threats targeted flights on different routes, forcing authorities to take immediate action. Although no explosive devices were found, passengers endured delays and emergency landings.
Among the six targeted planes, one was an international flight en route to Canada, which had to make an emergency landing in that country. Security teams thoroughly investigated the aircraft, but nothing suspicious was found.
The most recent threat was directed at an IndiGo flight travelling from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to Lucknow. The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Jaipur Airport, where security forces were immediately deployed. A thorough inspection of the passengers and the plane followed, leading to significant delays for other flights at Jaipur. However, the inspection found no dangerous items onboard.
What’s particularly alarming is that the majority of these bomb threats were issued via social media platforms. Out of the six planes, three were international flights, carrying hundreds of passengers, who were left stranded and distressed due to the security protocols that followed each threat. Fortunately, no explosives or dangerous objects were found on any of the planes.
Flights Affected by Bomb Threats:
- Air India flight from Jaipur to Bengaluru (via Ayodhya)
- SpiceJet flight from Darbhanga to Mumbai
- Akasa Air flight from Siliguri to Bengaluru
- Air India flight from Delhi to Chicago
- IndiGo flight from Dammam to Lucknow
In a statement, IndiGo reassured passengers that their safety is the airline’s top priority. The company added that they are cooperating fully with the authorities and have taken all necessary precautions in line with the guidelines provided.
Meanwhile, on a different front, SpiceJet has been granted relief from additional surveillance imposed by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airline had been placed under extra monitoring due to financial difficulties but has now taken measures to address these issues, allowing the DGCA to lift the restrictions.