The frequency of bomb threats targeting airports and hospitals has risen recently. On June 18, a wave of threats was sent via email to 41 airports, including major ones in Jaipur, Chennai, and Varanasi, prompting extensive security measures that ultimately confirmed the threats were false. Additionally, on June 17, a false bomb threat involving a Dubai-bound flight from Delhi led to heightened security at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Moreover, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is advocating for a stringent response to such threats, including a potential five-year flying ban for those convicted. Hoaxes not only disrupt flight schedules but also necessitate comprehensive inspections of passengers, their baggage, and the aircraft.

Earlier, on August 22, an emergency was declared at Thiruvananthapuram Airport after a bomb threat was reported for an Air India flight arriving from Mumbai. The aircraft, which had 135 passengers on board, was directed to an isolation area, and all passengers were evacuated safely within 14 minutes of landing.

In another case, on June 17, authorities detained a 13-year-old boy who allegedly sent a false bomb threat to Delhi Airport. Similar hoax threats were made to around 60 hospitals across Mumbai, both private and public, using VPNs to obscure the sender’s identity.

As these false alarms become more frequent, the aviation and security sectors continue to emphasize the importance of rigorous checks and penalties for perpetrators to safeguard public safety.