Passenger Safety in Question as Indian Airlines Face Bomb Threat Crisis

A wave of bomb threats targeting Indian airlines continued on Saturday, with at least 15 flights from Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Airlines forced to make emergency landings. This alarming trend raises concerns about passenger safety and security in the aviation sector.

IndiGo was particularly affected, with five of its international flights—6E 11, 6E 17, 6E 58, 6E 108, and 6E 184—receiving bomb threats. The airline has assured passengers that it is collaborating closely with authorities and prioritizing their safety. For instance, flight 6E 17, en route from Mumbai to Istanbul, and flight 6E 11, coming from Delhi to Istanbul, were impacted. Flight 6E 184, which was traveling from Jodhpur to Delhi, was grounded at Indira Gandhi International Airport following a security alert.

IndiGo released a statement confirming that “Flight 6E 184, operating from Jodhpur to Delhi, received a security-related alert. The aircraft has landed in Delhi, and all passengers have safely disembarked. We are coordinating with security agencies in accordance with our procedures, as the safety and security of our customers and crew are paramount.”

Air India flights were also disrupted, with sources indicating that flights AI 101, AI 105, AI 126, AI 119, and AI 161 faced issues due to bomb threats, although the airline has yet to officially confirm this information.

An Air India Express flight (IX-196) from Dubai to Jaipur was compelled to make an emergency landing at Jaipur International Airport early Saturday after an email bomb threat was received. Authorities confirmed that nothing suspicious was found after the aircraft, carrying 189 passengers, landed safely. Investigations are ongoing.

Earlier on the same day, a London-bound Vistara flight from Delhi (UK17) was diverted to Frankfurt due to a bomb threat. The airline reported that the flight landed safely, and mandatory security checks were conducted.

Since Monday, a total of 35 flights have been diverted or forced to make emergency landings following similar threats, prompting the civil aviation ministry and relevant authorities to consider implementing stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future.