Bomb Threats Divert Akasa Air and IndiGo Flights
On October 16, 2024, an Akasa Air flight from Delhi to Bengaluru received a bomb threat. The flight, carrying 174 passengers, including three infants and seven crew members, was diverted to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Akasa Air’s Emergency Response Team monitored the situation, ensuring a safe landing.
Meanwhile, an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Delhi was redirected to Ahmedabad due to a similar security alert. All passengers were safely disembarked, and the aircraft was isolated.
Recent Hoax Threats
In the past two days, two IndiGo and one Air India flight received hoax threats. These included an Air India flight to New York, an IndiGo flight to Muscat, and another to Jeddah.
Government Response
In response to the increasing threats, the central government has decided to double the number of sky marshals on flights. A senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed this decision, which was made after assessing the threat and receiving intelligence inputs. Sky marshals, who are armed plainclothes security officers, will be deployed on both international and sensitive domestic routes.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has called a high-level meeting to address the situation, following over ten bomb threats received on social media.
Doubts Revealed
Akasa Air -: Akasa Air is a new airline in India that started flying in 2022. It offers flights to different cities in India, just like IndiGo and other airlines.
IndiGo -: IndiGo is one of the largest and most popular airlines in India. It is known for its affordable flights and covers many destinations across the country.
Bomb Threat -: A bomb threat is when someone says there is a bomb on a plane or in a place, even if there might not actually be one. It is taken very seriously to keep everyone safe.
Sky Marshals -: Sky marshals are special police officers who fly on planes with passengers. They carry weapons and are trained to stop any bad people from causing harm during the flight.
IGI Airport -: IGI Airport stands for Indira Gandhi International Airport. It is the main airport in Delhi, the capital of India, and one of the busiest airports in the country.
Ministry of Civil Aviation -: The Ministry of Civil Aviation is a part of the Indian government. It is responsible for making rules and ensuring the safety of air travel in India.
Hoax Threats -: Hoax threats are fake warnings about danger, like a bomb, that are not true. They can cause panic and disrupt normal activities, like flights.
