Centre Criticizes Airlines in Response to Bomb Threat Crisis

Authorities are intensifying their crackdown on a surge in bomb threats directed at airlines across the country. The government has convened a high-level meeting to address the concerns, pulling up airlines over lapses in response protocols. These developments come in the wake of multiple threats targeting both domestic and international flights, triggering heightened security measures and widespread disruptions in air travel.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in coordination with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), is considering stringent actions, including the adoption of foreign regulatory practices and potential amendments to existing civil aviation protocols. There is also serious contemplation about adding perpetrators of hoax bomb threats to the no-fly list, a step aimed at deterring future incidents. Airline operators were called out for inadequate preparedness during the emergency meeting, which underscored the need for better coordination between carriers, security agencies, and airports.

The surge in threats comes amid a general rise in cyber and anonymous threats in various sectors. Authorities have pointed out that these hoaxes not only create panic but also impose significant economic costs on the aviation sector. Flight diversions, emergency landings, and extensive security sweeps result in delayed schedules and substantial losses for the airlines.