3 flights get bomb threats in 24 hours, over 35 hoax calls this week
Three flights received bomb threats in less than 24 hours, adding to a long list of hoax calls airlines have received this week, triggering an unprecedented security scare.
A London-bound Vistara flight from Delhi (UK17) was diverted to Frankfurt, Germany, after a bomb threat. A Jaipur-Dubai Air India Express flight (IX 196) was given a threat, which turned out to be fake. Meanwhile, an Akasa Air flight (QP 1366) from Bengaluru to Mumbai also got a bomb threat shortly before departure.
The bomb threat to the Dubai-Jaipur Air India Express flight forced a delay in taking off the Jaipur-Dubai (IX 195) flight from the airport.
The take-off was scheduled for 6:10 am today, but it left for Dubai at 7:45. The flight is on its way to its destination. Meanwhile, the Vistara flight which was diverted to Frankfurt, later took off for London.
“Vistara flight UK17 operating from Delhi to London on October 18, 2024, received a security threat on social media. In line with the protocol, all relevant authorities were immediately informed and as a precautionary measure, the pilots decided to divert the flight to Frankfurt,” the spokesperson said.
Akasa Air said, “As per safety and security procedures, all passengers had to be deplaned as the local authorities followed necessary procedures. We request your understanding as our team on the ground did everything possible to reduce the inconvenience.”
Since Monday, at least 35 flights have received such threats, prompting the civil aviation ministry and authorities to put in place strict norms to deal with such situations.