New Delhi, October 20, 2024: A Vistara flight bound for London from Delhi was diverted to Frankfurt on Friday after a bomb threat was received via social media, according to an airline spokesperson. Flight UK17 made an emergency landing at Frankfurt airport, where it underwent thorough security checks.
In a statement issued early Saturday morning, Vistara confirmed that the flight had landed safely and that mandatory checks were being carried out by security agencies. “The flight will continue its journey to London once it is cleared by the authorities,” the airline said.
The threat was first flagged on social media, prompting immediate action. As per standard aviation safety protocols, the pilots made the decision to divert the aircraft as a precaution. “All relevant authorities were immediately informed, and the necessary procedures were followed,” Vistara said in their statement.
Bomb Threats Spread Across Airlines
In a separate incident on the same day, Akasa Air’s flight QP 1366 from Bengaluru to Mumbai was also delayed due to a security alert. Passengers were deplaned, and security procedures were implemented on the ground.
Akasa Air issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), apologizing for the inconvenience. “As per safety and security procedures, all passengers had to be deplaned while the local authorities followed the necessary checks. We appreciate the passengers’ understanding as our team did everything possible to minimize inconvenience.”
Rising Number of Hoax Bomb Threats
These incidents are part of a recent surge in bomb threats targeting flights operated by Indian carriers. In the past few days, nearly 40 flights have been affected by such threats, most of which turned out to be hoaxes.
The frequency of these threats has raised concerns among aviation authorities. The Civil Aviation Ministry is reportedly working on new regulations to address the issue, including placing individuals responsible for hoax threats on a no-fly list. Stricter penalties are also being considered to deter such incidents in the future.
As investigations continue into the recent bomb threats, authorities are prioritizing passenger safety while aiming to prevent further disruptions to airline operations.
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