NEW DELHIl In the wake of continued bomb threats to major Indian airlines like IndiGo, Vistara, and Air India, a virtual meeting was held on October 22 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITy). The session, chaired by Joint Secretary Sanket S. Bhondve, addressed growing concerns over the hoax threats affecting both international and domestic flights.

Bhondve expressed specific dissatisfaction with X (formerly Twitter), stating that the platform’s approach to handling these threats was inadequate, and even accused it of abetting criminal activity.

On Tuesday alone, approximately 80 flights were subjected to bomb threats, all of which were later confirmed to be hoaxes. These incidents affected thousands of passengers and put immense pressure on security agencies. Former airline officials estimated that the disruptions have cost airlines around ₹600 crore.

Among the most affected were flights from IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, and Akasa Air. In just over a week, more than 170 flights operated by Indian carriers have been threatened, largely through social media platforms. Some international flights had to be diverted due to these threats, leading to significant financial losses. Officials noted that each domestic flight disruption costs about ₹1.5 crore, while international flights incur losses between ₹5 crore and ₹5.5 crore.

The average cost per disrupted flight stands at ₹3.5 crore, adding up to the estimated ₹600 crore total loss for all affected flights. Costs fluctuate depending on factors such as aircraft size and flight duration.

In response, the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) has updated its protocols, and the government is planning legislative measures to address the issue. One proposal includes placing individuals responsible for such threats on a no-fly list. Additionally, amendments to the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982, are being considered, which would allow for the arrest and investigation of offenders without a court order if the aircraft is still on the ground. Changes to aircraft security rules are also under review to impose stricter penalties on those issuing bomb threats.

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