As the number of hoax bomb threat messages to domestic and international flights crossed over 400, leading to financial loss up to Rs 1200 to 1400 crore to Indian carriers so far. As many as 410 domestic and international flights operated by the Indian carriers have received hoax bomb threats in the last 15 days. More than 60 flights of Indian carriers received bomb threats on Monday.
Once a flight is canceled or delayed due to a bomb hoax, a ripple effect of delays and cancellations of other flights occurs adding to financial losses for not the airline but the flying public. The event is not just a safety concern but also means a costly affair for an airline.
“The overall financial damage of the hoax, including costs for unscheduled landing, passenger accommodations, aircraft grounding, and crew replacements, is projected from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 4 crore per incident,” said an airline executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The overall costs escalate when additional expenses such as unexpected landing charges, hotel accommodations for over 200 passengers and crew, compensation for missed connections, grounding the aircraft for thorough checks, and arranging a fresh crew are factored in. Meanwhile, the airline also faced financial losses from the disruption of its return flight schedule.
Reports suggest that the daily rental cost of a Boeing 777 ranges between $17,000 and $20,000, and a diversion of cancellation means huge financial losses for the airlines.
Sources said around 21 flights each of Air India and IndiGo, and about 20 flights of Vistara received the threats on Monday. An Air India spokesperson said a number of its flights were subject to security threats received on social media on Monday.
“Following the laid down protocols, relevant authorities were immediately alerted, and all security procedures strictly adhered to, as per guidance from the regulatory authorities,” the spokesperson said in a statement. Currently, actions against hoax bomb threats are handled by the police under existing criminal laws. However, the government is exploring stricter measures to deter such incidents and prevent the mounting financial and operational strain on the aviation industry.
Meanwhile, against the backdrop of a spate of hoax bomb threats to airlines, the IT Ministry has asked social media platforms to observe due diligence obligations and promptly remove or disable access to misinformation within the strict timelines prescribed under IT rules.
Also, the Civil Aviation ministry is looking to take legislative actions to tackle the menace of the hoax bomb threats to airlines. On Sunday, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the Centre is mulling steps to ban perpetrators, who resort to hoax bomb threats, from flying.
