The spurt in hoax bomb threats in Civil Aviation sector in past few years has caused serious disruptions to Indian airlines smooth operations, exerting significant pressure on its healthy existence. Though the government has taken steps to tighten regulations, but the challenges of responding and mitigating such threats continue to weigh heavy on the system.
Hoax Call Count
As per Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the aviation security regulator in the country, a shocking 836 hoax bomb threats were received by Airline Operators between 2022 and March 25th, 2025. Official data revealed, in 2022, a total of13 hoax calls were received by airline operators while in 2023, the count increased to 71. However, the count registered an unexpected jump of over 10 times, as 728 hoax calls were received in 2024. The next year, till March 25, 2025, 24 hoax alls were received by airline operators in the country.
In 2024, a total of 13 culprits involved in issuing hoax bomb threats were arrested. BCAS has mandated robust protocols for handling such threats in coordination with Law Enforcement Agencies, Central Security Agencies, CISF and stakeholders, leading to minimal impact on flight operations.
Bomb Threat Contingency Plan
Bomb Threat Contingency Plan (BTCP), a detailed contingency plan, has been put in place to handle such threats. As part of BTCP, every airport has a designated Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) which analyses the threat and takes action. In order to deal with hoax bomb threats, BCAS has issued advisories to all the Civil Aviation stakeholders in the country to ensure maintenance of robust aviation security infrastructure and uphold public confidence in air travel.
Aircraft (Security) Rules, 2023 amended, fine upto Rs 1 crore
Weeks after hundreds of hoax bomb threats for airlines in the country threw security agencies into a tizzy; the central government amended Aircraft (Security) Rules, 2023 providing for a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for such offences.
In a gazette notification on December 16, the Ministry of Civil Aviation inserted Section 30A in the Aircraft (Security) Rules, 2023 which made punishable to communicate false information so as to “jeopardize the safety and security of an aircraft, aerodrome or civil aviation facility or both; (b) cause panic among passengers, crew and ground personnel or the general public; or (c) disrupt the civil aviation operation.”
Another new rule inserted is Rule 29A allows Director General to issue directions in writing to refuse admission to any person or group of persons in the aircraft or require them to leave the aircraft.
Offences under the two new rules will attract a penalty of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 50 lakh, Rs 75 lakh or Rs 1 crore depending on whether the culprit is an individual or an organization with an employee size of 300 persons.
Importantly, in connection with the spate of hoax calls in October, police teams have been able to detain only two individuals so far – a 35-year-old Jagdish Shriam Uikey, resident of Gondia in Maharashtra and 17-year-old from Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh.
Reports revealed, 96 such threats were received in June 2024, followed by 57 in April, 51 in November, with the numbers dwindling during the remaining months.
Maximum 611 bomb threats issued on X
As per report, a maximum number 611 hoax bomb threats were issued on social media platform X followed by 281 e-mails sent to airport staff, airline operators besides the CISF staff, 47 verbal bomb threats, 45 through phone calls, 29 written threats besides six hoax bomb threats were received through text messages.
Further, threats were issued to over 600 domestic and international flights of multiple Indian carriers, leading to a severe operational and financial hit to the airlines, the passengers timely movement and comfort and a mega scrambling of security paraphernalia.
Officials explain that Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Act 2024, which has replaced the Aircraft Act, 1934 is not a criminalized law and recognizes most offences as non-cognizable where FIRs can’t be registered without the court’s permission and jail term of more than two years can’t be provided. Therefore, there is a proposal before the Ministry of Civil Aviation to also amend the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act (SUASCA), 1982 which recognizes cognizable offences.
Year Bomb Threats
2013 08
2014 12
2015 18
2016 08
2022 13
2023 71
2024 728
2025 24 (till March 25, 2025)
