New Protocols to Combat False Bomb Threats in Air Travel

Passengers will no longer face disruptions due to false bomb threats on flights. In light of the increasing number of bomb threats at airports and on flights, the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) has revised its protocols.

According to PTI, the BTAC has made changes to better handle threats received via the internet or social media. Over 140 domestic and international flights have already been affected by false bomb threats.

🚨 Indian airlines have received 70 bomb threats in the last 6 days. The Ministry of Civil Aviation held a meeting with airline CEOs to enforce security measures. Most threats came via calls traced to London, Germany, the US, and Canada, possibly using VPNs. https://t.co/BPSu56CABZ

— BigBreakingWire (@BigBreakingWire) October 20, 2024

Passengers Will Not Face Inconvenience

If the BTAC team deems a threat to be “non-specific” or a “hoax,” the thorough screening of passengers and baggage will not have to be repeated. Security forces like the CISF and the respective airlines have been instructed to strictly adhere to protocols for searching passengers, their luggage, and flights.

A senior security official stated that the new assessment procedure for bomb threats began last week after messages were sent to Indian airlines.

New Assessment Procedure

The decision to evaluate threatening messages more closely came after a recent meeting involving the Civil Aviation Ministry, Civil Aviation Security Bureau (BCAS), CISF, airlines, airport operators, intelligence agencies, and the police.

How Are Bomb Threats Classified?

On Monday night, the BTAC classified bomb threats received by three airlines—Air India, Vistara, and IndiGo—at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Pune, Mangaluru, Bengaluru, and Kozhikode as “rumors” or “vague.” These messages were considered “vague” because they originated from a single X handle that posted bomb threat messages for each of the three airlines between 10:46 PM and 11:42 PM.

Sources informed PTI that under the revised BTAC protocols, information will now be assessed more effectively based on its credibility.

Government’s Response to Hoax Threats

The government is taking a firm stance against the rising tide of false bomb threats, having received 20 threats to blow up airplanes within a 72-hour period. According to NDTV, the aviation ministry is preparing to establish laws to address these calls and punish the offenders severely.

Potential Legal Provisions

Discussions are ongoing with the law department to draft a law aimed at cracking down on false and misleading calls. This law could include provisions to place offenders on a No Fly List, potentially barring them from air travel in India for several years.

Sources from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) have indicated that the new framework will ensure stricter monitoring and accountability to prevent disruptions to air travel and threats to national security. More information on this law is expected as the process unfolds.

In connection to this matter, the Mumbai police have detained a 17-year-old boy who is reportedly a college dropout from Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. His father is still being questioned by authorities.