Bomb Hoax Crisis | Aviation safety regulator meets with airlines

As bomb threats continue to arrive, disrupting flight schedules, disrupting passengers and adding to airlines’ already rising operating costs, aviation safety regulator the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) ), held a high-level meeting on Saturday with top executives from major airlines. on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

The meeting, attended by Air India chief Campbell Wilson, Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan, Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh, representatives of IndiGo, SpiceJet and Akasa Air and others, deliberated on how the system can come together to address emerging security issues. of these recent incidents while ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers, especially during the busy festival season, sources told CNBC-TV18.

At the meeting, BCAS and airline officials discussed strategies to improve safety protocols and minimize disruption to passengers.

Sources add that airlines have been asked to balance rigorous safety measures with operational efficiency to avoid inconvenience during peak travel hours. The goal, we learn, is for airlines and stakeholders to find ways to prioritize passenger comfort while ensuring that, while strict safety protocols are followed, they do not cause delays or undue inconvenience.

BCAS and airlines also discussed ways to build public confidence in air travel amid the unprecedented rise in bomb threats.

On Saturday alone, around 35 flights of various Indian airlines faced bomb threats, which not only caused concern among passengers but also put additional pressure on the already limited airport infrastructure.

So far, since Monday, October 14, 2024, 70 flights have received bomb threats through messages on social networks and other means. They have all turned out to be hoaxes, but airlines can’t afford to take risks.