Bomb threats rattle aviation sector, airlines face Rs 600 crore in losses

Nearly 50 flights receive bomb threats on Tue

- NARESH BISWANI

NEW DELHI/ MUMBAI: In an unprecedented series of events, nearly 80 domestic and international flights operating within and out of India received bomb threats over the course of 24 hours. While the threats were later confirmed as hoaxes, they left thousands of passengers and security personnel in a state of high alert, causing widespread disruption.

The bomb threats, which targeted a range of airlines, have raised serious concerns about aviation safety, costing airlines an estimated Rs 600 crore in losses, according to two former airline officials.

On Tuesday alone, around 50 flights from various airlines were subjected to bomb threats. This included 13 flights each from IndiGo and Air India, 12 flights from Akasa Air, and 11 from Vistara. The situation was no better the previous night when around 30 flights - operated by IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara - received similar threats.