An Air India Express flight carrying 189 passengers from Dubai to Jaipur faced a bomb scare after receiving a threat via email in the early hours of Saturday. The flight, IX-196, was forced to make an emergency landing at Jaipur International Airport at 1:20 am (local time), where security forces conducted a thorough search.
Emergency Landing and Investigation
Upon landing, security teams swiftly conducted a detailed search of the aircraft and its passengers. Jaipur Airport Police confirmed that after an extensive investigation, no suspicious items were found. According to SHO Sandeep Basera, the situation was handled efficiently, and all passengers were safe.
The police have now launched an investigation to determine the origin of the hoax threat and identify those responsible.
Government Response: Stricter Laws in the Works
The incident has raised concerns within India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), which is now working in consultation with other ministries to amend existing legislation. The proposed changes aim to strengthen penalties for hoax bomb threats, including the possibility of 5-year imprisonment for offenders and their placement on a no-fly list.
MoCA officials stated that a committee will be formed to discuss revisions to the Aircraft Act, 1934 and Aircraft Rules, 1937, ensuring that such threats are met with severe legal consequences. “The government wants to ensure high deterrence for such attempts,” a senior ministry official said.
Impact on the Aviation Sector
In the last four days, at least 26 bomb hoax threats have been reported across various airlines in India, according to officials. These incidents have caused significant disruption, leading to delays and financial losses for airlines.
A senior official from a prominent airline stated that these hoax threats appear to be targeted attempts to disrupt India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector. “While these alerts may come from pranksters or minors, they still cause major inconvenience to passengers and financial strain on the industry,” the official added.
Union Minister Responds to Hoax Threats
In response to the surge in bomb hoaxes, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu addressed the media, stating that while some calls seem to be isolated incidents, steps are being taken to investigate thoroughly. “There is no substantial evidence of a conspiracy, but we are in close contact with airlines, security agencies, and other government bodies to address this issue comprehensively,” Kinjarapu explained.
He emphasized that any prankster involved in making such threats will face strict legal consequences, reinforcing the government’s commitment to maintaining safety and security within the aviation sector.
