Bomb threat at Indigo
On 1st September, 2024 a flight of Indigo operating on the route of Jabalpur to Hyderabad got a bomb threat. Surprisingly a handwritten note of “Blast at 9 am” was discovered by one of the air hostesses of Indigo. The air hostess discovered the bomb threat written on toilet paper in the toilet after five persons used the toilet.
The flight was 6E 7308 flight operated in the aircraft of ATR72. The flight contains 69 passengers and 4 crew members. Due to the bomb threat, the flight was forced to take an emergency land on Nagpur airport at 09:20 IST at Sunday morning. However, an immediate response has been taken by the airport authorities and security personnel.
Indigo officials said, “Upon landing, all passengers were disembarked and mandatory security checks were promptly initiated. Passengers were provided with assistance and refreshments, and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
After the emergency landing at Nagpur airport, all the passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft. The Bomb Disposal and Detection Squads (BDDS) immediately check all aircraft after the evacuation of passengers. The incident was thoroughly examined through interviewing of all the passengers and crew members by CISF, Maharashtra Police and the dog squad.
However, no suspicious activities or bomb presence were discovered by the investigation team after thorough checking for a longer 6 hours. The director of Dumma Airport of Jabalpur, Neeraj Kumar has confirmed the bomb threat to be a hoax threat. However, the incident is now under investigation to explore the motive of such activities.
Indigo and Nagpur airport authorities handled the situation efficiently with utmost safety and security for all the passengers. The 6E 7308 flight got clearance at 15:25 IST to resume its journey towards its destination to Hyderabad from Nagpur. The 6E 7308 flight reached its destination by 15:30 IST.
Rising hoax threat at airlines
In recent years, the airline sector has witnessed an alarming increase in bomb threats. But most of the bomb threats turned out to the hoax threats like the latest incident on the 6E 7308 flight. This is causing delays in aircraft departure, straining the security sources of airlines, and creating fear among passengers and crew members.
On 28th May 2024, another hoax threat was discovered on a 6E 2211 flight flying on the route from Delhi to Varanasi. A bomb threat was received at Delhi airport creating a concern among passengers and airport authorities.
Scary! Passenger scrambling and sliding down because of a bomb threat in indigo flight 😳pic.twitter.com/WVd105vCc1
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) May 28, 2024CISF officials then confirmed that “A tissue paper, with the word ‘bomb’ written on it, was found in the lavatory of Indigo flight 6E 2211 from Delhi to Varanasi at Delhi airport, prompting security agencies to conduct an inspection but it turned out to be a hoax.” The airport authorities took immediate action to evacuate all the passengers from the emergency exits.
Another bomb threat was captured on 24th June 2024 at Coimbatore International Airport. In the Coimbatore case, the bomb threat was received from an unidentified email on Monday morning. However, the BDDS team along with sniffer dogs underwent security checks. However, later it turned into a hoax threat.
These were the three events which got the light from the media. A total of 41 airports got hoax threats through emails, in the aircraft and in many other places. Every incident was checked by the airport authorities with the utmost patience to ensure the full safety of the passengers. However, as the hoax threat incidents are increasing in the airline sector they are strengthening their security protocols and emergency response system.
Impact of hoax threat on airlines
Delay in flight schedule:
Incidents like bomb threats in different airlines create an emergency like delays in the clearance of flights from the airport authorities. Moreover, the growing frequency of hoax threats might create negligence by the airlines although still now all of them are treated with seriousness.
Cancellation of flights:
This kind of hoax threat can create a situation like cancellation of flights and providing passengers with alternative flights. In that case, an inconvenience caused to the passenger can include additional expenses for meals or accommodation, disruption of their travel plans and setting a negative brand image of that particular airline.
Higher costs for taking emergency measures:
When there is a bomb threat, whether it is a hoax or not, the airline authority always responds immediately. These emergencies increase the chances of providing refunds to every passenger, giving them alternate flights, giving alternate arrangements, deploying additional staff, and many more, which require higher costs. Henceforth, a negative impact on the airline’s profitability is noted.
Psychological impact on passengers and crew members:
Emergency situations like bomb threats, which turn into hoax threats most of the time, create psychological pressure among passengers. Passengers, in that case, can experience stress, fear and anxiety by getting informed about the danger. Repeated events can increase burnout rate, and airlines might lose their passenger’s trust.
FAQ
Did Indigo Airlines receive a bomb threat?
Yes. On 1st September, 2024 a flight of Indigo operating on the route of Jabalpur to Hyderabad got a bomb threat. Surprisingly a handwritten note of “Blast at 9 am” was discovered by one of the air hostesses of Indigo.
Are hoax threats increased in the airline industry?
Yes. A total of 41 airports got hoax threats through emails, in the aircraft and in many other places. Every incident was checked by the airport authorities with the utmost patience to ensure the full safety of the passengers.
Is the bomb threat of Indigo Airlines a hoax threat?
However, no suspicious activities or bomb presence were discovered by the investigation team after thorough checking for a longer 6 hours. The director of Dumma Airport of Jabalpur, Neeraj Kumar has confirmed the bomb threat to be a hoax threat.
What is the impact of cancellation or rescheduling of flights on the passengers?
In that case, an inconvenience caused to the passenger can include additional expenses for meals or accommodation, disruption of their travel plans, and setting a negative brand image for that particular airline.
How do passengers get psychologically impacted by hoax threats?
Emergency situations like bomb threats, which turn into hoax threats most of the time, create psychological pressure among passengers. Passengers, in that case, can experience stress, fear and anxiety by getting informed about the danger.
On which flights did Indigo Airlines receive the bomb threat?
The flight was 6E 7308, operated by an ATR72 aircraft. The flight contains 69 passengers and 4 crew members. Due to the bomb threat, the flight was forced to take an emergency landing at Nagpur airport at 09:20 IST on Sunday morning.
What was the incident of a bomb threat at Coimbatore International Airport?
In the Coimbatore case, the bomb threat was received from an unidentified email on Monday morning. However, the BDDS team and sniffer dogs underwent security checks. Later, it turned into a hoax threat.
How do airlines get financially impacted because of hoax threats?
When there is a bomb threat, whether it is a hoax or not, the airline authority always responds immediately. These emergencies increase the chances of providing refunds to every passenger, giving them alternate flights, giving alternate arrangements, deploying additional staff, and many more, which require higher costs.
