Prank call threat: More than 20 flights receive bomb threats today; IndiGo, Vistara and Akasa Air receive most calls

The threat of scam calls to airlines continued on October 20, with new bomb threats on more than 20 flights of IndiGo, Akasa Air and Vistara. IndiGo issued a series of press releases sharing details of the bomb threat received by the flights.

In its statement, IndiGo confirmed that it was aware of specific situations involving flights 6E 112 from Goa to Ahmedabad, 6E 133 from Pune to Jodhpur and 6E 58 from Jeddah to Mumbai.

“We are aware of a situation involving flight 6E 112 operating from Goa to Ahmedabad,” the airline’s statement read. He added that the airline was aware of “a situation also involving flight 6E 133 operating from Pune to Jodhpur”.

“We are aware of a situation involving flight 6E 58 operating from Jeddah to Mumbai. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our top priority and we are working closely with the relevant authorities and taking all necessary precautions as directed,” the statement added.

Vistara said it received security threats for six flights: UK25 (Delhi to Frankfurt), UK106 (Singapore to Mumbai), UK146 (Bali to Delhi), UK116 (Singapore to Delhi), UK110 (Singapore to Pune) and UK107 ( Mumbai to Singapore).

“As per protocols, all relevant authorities have been immediately informed and safety procedures, as requested, are being implemented,” a Vistara spokesperson said in a statement.

An Akasa Air spokesperson said some of its flights received security alerts on Sunday.

Emergency response teams are monitoring the situation and are in contact with security and regulatory authorities, the spokesperson said in a statement.

“We are following all safety and security procedures in coordination with local authorities,” the spokesperson added.

There have been threats against at least six Air India flights, there was no immediate comment from the airline.

So far this week, more than 90 flights have been the subject of bomb threats and most of them turned out to be hoaxes.

The latest round of prank calls comes a day after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) met with airline CEOs on October 19, after several flights received at least 70 false bomb threats over the past week.

Meanwhile, Karnataka’s Sambra Airport in Belagavi received a threat via email, News18 reported. Sambra Airport Director Thyagaraj received the threat letter via email, written by an unidentified individual who threatened to blow up a Chennai-Belagavi flight, triggering panic in the region, the report added.

An FIR was registered at Marihal police station in Belagavi, officials said, adding that an investigation was underway to trace the origin of the bomb scare.

(With inputs from PTI)