Aviation minister on flight bomb hoaxes: One minor arrested, others responsible to be duly prosecuted

NEW DELHI: Mumbai Police have arrested a minor responsible for issuing bomb threats to three flights, confirmed civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday. The arrest comes amid heightened concerns over a recent spike in threats targeting Indian airlines, disrupting both domestic and international operations.

Minister Naidu expressed his deep concern over the issue. “These unlawful acts are a grave threat to the safety and security of our aviation sector. I strongly condemn any attempts to compromise the operational integrity of our airlines,” he said, following a high-level committee meeting held on October 14.

This meeting included officials from key agencies like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation ( DGCA ), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Ministry of Home Affairs, among others.

Increased vigilance

The government is actively monitoring the situation, with law enforcement agencies pursuing all cases diligently. "All responsible for these disruptions will be identified and prosecuted," Naidu assured, emphasizing that safeguarding the aviation sector is the top priority.

BCAS has proposed adding individuals who issue hoax threats to the no-fly list , a move expected to deter future incidents. Enhanced security measures, including the deployment of additional sky marshals, have been implemented to reassure passengers.

Airlines demand action

The airline industry is calling for stricter measures to prevent further disruptions. Air India , whose flights have been repeatedly targeted, announced plans to consider legal action to recover damages. Recent threats forced multiple flights to divert, including an Air India Delhi-Chicago flight that was redirected to a remote Canadian town due to a bomb scare.

BCAS DG Zulfiquar Hasan assured travelers that Indian skies remain safe. “We are confident of tracing all those behind these threats, and strict legal action will follow,” he said, adding that police across the country are assisting in the investigations.

Passengers stranded

Meanwhile, over 200 passengers from the diverted Delhi-Chicago flight finally reached their destination on Wednesday, aided by the Canadian Air Force. Canadian defence minister Bill Blair confirmed the operation, stating that the passengers were flown safely to Chicago after being stranded in Iqaluit, a remote town in sub-Arctic Canada.