Skyjacked by Fear: The Rising Tide of Hoax Bomb Threats on Indian Airlines
The skies over India have been clouded with anxiety in recent days, not due to turbulent weather, but a storm of hoax bomb threats targeting the nation's airlines. In a disturbing trend, over a dozen flights have been disrupted in the past 48 hours alone, forcing emergency landings, triggering frantic security checks, and leaving passengers stranded and distressed. This surge in false alarms raises troubling questions about the motives behind these threats, the vulnerability of our aviation system, and the potential for future disruptions. A Wave of Disruption From Air India to IndiGo, no airline has been spared. Domestic and international flights alike have been grounded by anonymous threats, delivered primarily through social media. The sheer frequency of these incidents – 13 in just two days – is unprecedented and suggests a possible coordinated effort rather than the actions of a lone wolf. The impact has been far-reaching, with flights diverted to airports across the country,