Friday, 20 Jun, 2025
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As India’s aviation sector expands rapidly, authorities are under growing pressure to upgrade threat assessment and integrate AI-driven monitoring systems to bolster security without disrupting efficiency.
India’s aviation sector is grappling with an unprecedented surge in hoax bomb threats, with incidents targeting airlines soaring nearly 13-fold to 714 in 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Civil Aviation reviewed by Business Standard. Airports, too, faced a sharp rise, with threats increasing sixfold to 299 from just 51 the previous year.
The spike, driven by threats issued through social media platform X, emails, and phone calls, highlights the evolving nature of digital disruptions. The crisis reached its peak in October and November, forcing airlines into costly emergency responses and operational disruptions.
The surge in false alarms has prompted heightened scrutiny from aviation regulators and law enforcement. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) have directed airports and airlines to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks and enhance threat verification protocols. However, the increasing frequency of threats has strained security infrastructure, raising concerns over response efficacy.
For carriers, the financial impact is mounting. Unscheduled evacuations, security sweeps, and flight delays translate into millions in operational losses, not to mention the reputational damage. The industry, already contending with volatile fuel prices and regulatory challenges, now faces additional security-related expenditures.
With India’s aviation market on a steep growth trajectory, authorities are under pressure to modernise threat assessment mechanisms and deploy advanced AI-driven monitoring systems to mitigate risks without compromising efficiency. The coming months will test whether these measures can contain the disruption or if airlines will have to absorb yet another layer of operational uncertainty.
IndiGo faced the highest number of hoax bomb threats in 2024, followed by Air India and Vistara, according to data from the Civil Aviation Ministry. Of 728 reported incidents, 714 targeted domestic carriers, while a handful affected international airlines. Yet, despite the scale of disruption, only 13 arrests have been made, exposing the challenges of policing cyber-enabled threats.
Notably, airlines are demanding harsher penalties and faster investigations to deter offenders. Some carriers are also exploring AI-powered threat assessment tools to distinguish real threats from hoaxes and minimise unnecessary disruptions.
IndiGo faced the highest number of bomb threats in 2024 (216), followed by Air India (179), Vistara (153), and Akasa Air (72), per BCAS data, according to Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) data. SpiceJet (35), Alliance Air (26), Air India Express (19), and Star Air (14) also reported significant threats.
Foreign carriers received 14 bomb threats in 2024, with Emirates (5) and Air Arabia (3) facing the most incidents. Aeroflot, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air each reported one threat, according to BCAS data.
The government has mandated stricter security protocols under the Bomb Threat Contingency Plan (BTCP). Every airport now has a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) tasked with analysing threats and coordinating responses. To counter the surge in hoax bomb threats, the BCAS has issued advisories to all civil aviation stakeholders, emphasising enhanced security measures and stricter protocols to prevent unlawful interference with airline operations.
