India’s civil aviation sector has witnessed an alarming spike in hoax bomb threats this year, with 999 incidents reported as of November 14, nearly ten times the total in 2023, according to Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol.

The surge has caused widespread disruptions to flight operations, particularly in late October, when over 500 hoax threats were registered in just two weeks. These false alarms have led to delayed and diverted flights, impacting both domestic and international routes.

Among the affected flights were an Air India Express flight that required escort by Singapore’s Air Force and an Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago, which was diverted to a remote Canadian airport. Despite the chaos, no actual bomb threats have been confirmed, and authorities have successfully neutralized all incidents without major harm.

Police have registered 256 complaints and made 12 arrests in connection with the threats. However, the dramatic rise in hoaxes marks an unprecedented challenge for India’s aviation sector. Between 2014 and 2017, authorities recorded only 120 bomb hoax alerts, with nearly half targeting Delhi and Mumbai airports. This year’s figures point to a troubling upward trend with significant implications for air travel safety and efficiency.

India’s civil aviation ministry has implemented strict protocols to manage and mitigate these threats. The country’s airports operate Bomb Threat Assessment Committees, which oversee responses involving bomb disposal units, sniffer dogs, and medical teams. While no real threats have materialized, the disruptions have resulted in costly delays and operational challenges, straining both airlines and security agencies.

India remains one of the world’s busiest aviation markets, with more than 150 million passengers flying domestically last year. The country handles over 3,000 flights daily across more than 150 airports, making any disruption to air travel a significant issue.

Authorities are working to enhance security measures and ensure the safety of passengers, but the surge in hoax bomb threats underscores the growing challenges faced by India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector.