Hoax call menace: Over 20 flights disrupted

The menace of hoax calls to major Indian airlines continued on Sunday with more than 20 flights of IndiGo, Vistara, Air India, and Akasa Air receiving fresh bomb threats, disrupting flight operations and resulting in delays or diversions for thorough security checks.

- DEEPAK PATEL

All threats were later determined to be false, akin to the previous incidents. Since Monday, more than 80 flights operated by Indian carriers have been affected by such hoax calls. On Saturday, more than 30 flights operated by Indian airlines received bomb threats.

Two airline officials, speaking to Business Standard on the condition of anonymity, expressed their frustration, noting that they have never experienced such a deluge of hoax calls, and that too over a prolonged period.

IndiGo spokesperson said the airline was "cognisant of a situation" involving six flights: 6E 58 (Jeddah to Mumbai), 6E87 (Kozhikode to Dammam), 6E11 (Delhi to Istanbul), 6E17 (Mumbai to Istanbul), 6E133 (Pune to Jodhpur) and 6E112 operating (Goa to Ahmedabad).