Mysterious threats to Indian flights – are they pranks or something more sinister, with a steep price to pay?
India’s aviation industry is currently facing a crisis with over 510 domestic and international flights being hit by hoax bomb threats in the past two weeks, resulting in flight delays, emergency landings, and significant costs for airlines. The threats have been made via email and social media, with the perpetrators still unknown. Authorities have made a few arrests, but the source of the threats remains a mystery. The government and law enforcement agencies are working to identify the culprits and prevent further incidents. The Indian carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Vistara, have taken precautions to handle the threats, including evacuating passengers and crew, and conducting thorough inspections of the aircraft and luggage. The government is also exploring stricter norms, including putting offenders on a no-fly list. The international community has taken note of the situation, with The Guardian calling it an “unprecedented surge in fake bomb threats.” The Indian authorities have approached the FBI and Interpol for help in tracking down the perpetrators.
Source: https://theprint.in/opinion/are-flight-bomb-threats-pranks-or-conspiracy-cost-of-hoax-to-indian-aviation-is-real/2338503/