In addition to the number of threat calls airlines have received this week, six Air India Express flights, five Air India flights, two Vistara flights, and two IndiGo aircraft also received bomb threats today.
Following a bomb threat, an Air India flight from Mumbai to London declared an emergency. In addition to the number of threat calls airlines have received this week, six Air India Express flights, five Air India flights, two Vistara flights, and two IndiGo aircraft also received bomb threats today.
The plane was “squawking 7700,” which is the code pilots use to indicate a broad emergency. The Boeing 777 operated by Air India was seen taking off at 7:05 am (IST) from Mumbai, circling over East England, and declaring an emergency on the flight tracking website FlightRadar24.
An hour before landing, the AI129 flight reported an emergency. It was due to land at London’s Heathrow Airport at 12:05 p.m. (UK time).
According to the most recent data from FlightRadar24, the aircraft has landed at Heathrow Airport and is no longer’squawking 7700′. Air traffic controllers nearby are informed of the aircraft’s condition by “Squawking 7700.”
At least 34 aircraft have received threats in the last four days, continuing the pattern of airlines receiving bomb threats.
An Air India representative confirmed the threats, saying, “Today, security threats were made against five Air India aircraft on social media. All established protocols have been scrupulously adhered to, and regulatory agencies have been notified. All five aircraft have made a safe landing. Air India places the utmost importance on the safety of both its personnel and passengers.”
As soon as the Boeing 787 aircraft received a bomb threat, the 147 passengers on a Vistara flight headed for Mumbai were taken through security procedures, according to the airline.
The flight UK 028, which was scheduled to depart from Frankfurt to Mumbai on October 16, 2024, was the target of a security threat that surfaced on social media. Protocol dictated that the pertinent authorities were notified right away. All passengers were safely removed from the airplane after it made a safe landing at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and was led to the isolation bay. In order to fulfill the required security checks, we are completely collaborating with the security agencies. The security and safety of our passengers, employees, and aircraft are our top priorities at Vistara, an airline representative stated.
Simultaneously, an IndiGo aircraft departing Istanbul for Turkiye, Mumbai, received a bomb threat and was escorted to an isolation bay for a thorough security assessment by the security services.
“Flight 6E 18, which is scheduled to operate from Istanbul to Mumbai, received a security-related alert,” stated a statement from IndiGo. The aircraft was isolated after landing, and every passenger departed safely.” According to the airline, standard operating protocols were adhered to and tight collaboration with pertinent authorities was maintained.
However, IndiGo withheld further information.
Prior to this, sources told NDTV that the problem is being handled in concert by the Center and civic authorities. A thorough report on the occurrences was requested from the Civil Aviation Ministry by the Home Ministry. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will draft a report after the aviation ministry requests input from airlines over bomb fear occurrences.
Yesterday, a Parliamentary Standing Committee convened to discuss the matter. A meeting with representatives from the DGCA and the Civil Aviation Ministry was called by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu prior to this.
In a statement, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu stated, “We are closely monitoring the situation and ensuring that We are committed to maintaining the highest security standards and passenger safety remains our topmost priority.”
According to sources, the following actions will be taken to handle such cases: Bomb threat posters will have their names put to the registry of “unruly passengers.” The airlines have recommended a five-year suspension on their operations.
According to sources, airlines proposed that they receive compensation from the accused for losses they had to incur as a result of false bomb threats.
The airline and security agencies will be informed of the identities of people behind phony calls. The guidelines are anticipated to be released shortly by the Civil Aviation Ministry. In two days, the ministry will also provide a comprehensive report on the bomb fear probe.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been instructed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to maintain vigilance at airports.
