What Happens When Airlines Get a Bomb Threat? Here’s What They Do

Recently, airlines in India have been hit with a wave of fake bomb threats, causing a lot of worry and disrupting flights. In just one week, more than 100 bomb threats have been reported, though thankfully, they all turned out to be hoaxes. Still, these threats create a lot of stress for passengers and crew members.

On October 22, IndiGo Airlines received 13 fake bomb threats alone, following 10 the night before. One incident involved a Vistara flight arriving in Nepal from New Delhi, which prompted a bomb squad to inspect the airport.

Akasa Air also reported security alerts for some of its flights. A spokesperson said, “Our emergency response teams are monitoring the situation closely and are in touch with the security authorities to ensure everyone’s safety.”

So, What Do Airlines Do When They Get a Bomb Threat?

Aviation expert Sidharath Kapur explains that if a bomb threat is received, the plane must land at the nearest airport. Once it lands, passengers are quickly taken off, and the aircraft is checked for explosives. The plane can only take off again if it's confirmed that there's no real threat.

A representative from the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated, “We know that 99.99% of these threats are fake. However, we can’t ignore the remaining 0.01%. That’s why we take bomb threats very seriously, despite thorough security checks at airports.”

If a bomb threat is reported while a flight is in the air, a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) gathers immediately at the airport to decide what to do next. They will check if the threat is real or fake. If the threat is found to be real, pilots will be instructed to return to the airport they took off from, head to their destination, or divert to a different airport.

For flights that haven’t taken off yet, they are moved to a separate area for a thorough check. If an international flight receives a bomb threat after leaving Indian airspace, Indian authorities will contact international air traffic control and security agencies right away. Usually, the flight will land at the nearest airport.

Government Takes Action Against Hoax Threats

The Government of India is considering new laws to punish people who make fake bomb threats. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan mentioned that the new law would put offenders on a no-fly list and allow authorities to arrest them without needing a court order.

“Even though bomb threats may be fake, we cannot treat them lightly,” Rammohan said.

Sources: Internet Sources & Twitter X 

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