Hoax bomb threats: Rs 600 crore loss estimated for airlines in 9 days | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Disruptions to domestic and international flights over the past nine days have likely resulted in an estimated loss of around Rs 600 crore, according to two former airline officials. The threats, later confirmed to be hoaxes, put thousands of passengers and security agencies on high alert.
Nearly 80 domestic and international flights were targeted with bomb threats in less than 24 hours, and on Tuesday alone, about 50 flights received threats, including 13 each from IndiGo and Air India, over 12 from Akasa Air, and 11 from Vistara.
Additionally, around 30 flights operated by IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara faced bomb threats on Monday night.

Estimated calculation

In the span of nine days, more than 170 flights operated by Indian carriers have received bomb threats, primarily communicated via social media platforms, which have caused major disruptions, including the forced diversion of some international flights.
An official who previously worked in the finance department of a domestic airline told news agency PTI, that on an average the cost of disruption for a domestic flight is estimated to be around Rs 1.5 crore, while the expenses for an international flight can reach Rs 5-5.5 crore.
A rough calculation suggests that the average cost of disruption for both domestic and international flights is approximately Rs 3.5 crore, and consequently, the total expenses or losses incurred by the airlines for the more than 170 affected flights are estimated to be around Rs 600 crore.

Cost vary depending on factors

However, it is important to note that these figures are broad-based and may vary depending on factors such as the type of aircraft (narrow-body or wide-body) and the duration of the flight.
Another official, who has experience working in the finance department of a different domestic airline, said that the operational costs for wide-body planes are higher compared to those of narrow-body planes.
In addition to direct expenses like fuel and airport parking charges, airlines also face indirect costs resulting from the impact of disruptions on their overall flight network, he added.
An Air India spokesperson earlier in the day said that some of its flights had been subjected to security threats received via social media. “Following the laid down protocols, relevant authorities were immediately alerted, and all security procedures strictly adhered to, as per guidance from the regulatory authorities and security agencies,” the spokesperson said.
According to a spokesperson from Akasa Air, some of its flights operating on Tuesday received security alerts. The airline is adhering to all necessary safety and security measures while working closely with local authorities to address the situation. However, the exact number of flights that received these alerts was not disclosed by the airline.
IndiGo, in separate statements, reported that 13 of its flights received security-related alerts on Tuesday.
The affected flights were 6E 196 (Bengaluru to Lucknow), 6E 433 (Aizawl to Kolkata), 6E 455 (Kolkata to Bengaluru), 6E 17 (Mumbai to Istanbul), 6E 394 (Kolkata to Jaipur), 6E 318 (Kolkata to Ahmedabad), 6E 297 (Hyderabad to Jodhpur), 6E 399 (Lucknow to Goa), 6E 381 (Goa to Ahmedabad), 6E 403 (Pune to Dehradun), 6E 419 (Surat to Goa), 6E 323 (Bagdogra to Chennai) and 6E 214 (Mumbai to Srinagar).
Similarly, a Vistara spokesperson confirmed that several of its flights had received security threats on social media. “We immediately alerted the relevant authorities and are following all security procedures as directed by them,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the procedures for the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC), which is assembled when a bomb threat is made against an aircraft or airport, have been modified to more effectively address the current wave of “random” Internet-based threats targeting various Indian airlines, according to official sources on Tuesday.
Furthermore, the government is considering legislative measures to tackle bomb threats to airlines, such as adding the offenders to the no-fly list.
In addition, amendments to aircraft security regulations are being proposed to ensure severe penalties for individuals who make bomb threats against flights.