The Ministry of Civil Aviation is considering legislative amendments to crack down on hoax bomb threats, with plans to add perpetrators to a no-fly list, announced Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Monday. The proposal comes amid a surge in fake threats targeting multiple airlines in recent days.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, the minister outlined the ministry’s two-pronged approach to address the issue:
“We are exploring amendments to Aircraft Security Rules to ensure that anyone responsible for such threats is placed on the no-fly list. Additionally, changes to the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Civil Aviation Act are also under consideration,” Naidu said.
The urgency for such measures follows a series of hoax threats reported by multiple airlines. SpiceJet and AirAsia each received five separate bomb threats, with SpiceJet flights SG 55, SG 116, SG 211, SG 476, and SG 2939 targeted, while AirAsia flights 9I 506, 9I 528, 9I 822, 9I 661, and 9I 804 were similarly affected. In total, 30 such threats have been reported across airlines in just four days.
The minister also provided updates on the government’s ambitious plans for the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme. Highlighting its impact, Naidu said the government aims to extend the scheme for another 10 years, with plans to either develop 50 new airports or upgrade existing ones over the next five years.
“Currently, we have 157 airports operational, but by 2047, we aim to increase this number to 350,” he said
Naidu emphasized that UDAN, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of democratizing air travel, has been a game-changer, especially for underserved regions.
“The UDAN scheme has brought air travel to remote areas that previously had no connectivity, particularly in the northeastern and hinterland regions. These areas are now not only connected to major cities but also to various international destinations,” he said.
(Inputs from ANI)