The Indian government has introduced stringent regulations to curb the rising menace of hoax bomb threats targeting the countrys civil aviation sector. The amendments to the Aircraft (Security) Rules, effective from December 9, impose heavy penalties and grant broader powers to aviation authorities to prevent and respond to such threats.

The decision follows a surge in fake bomb threat messages, which caused significant disruptions to flight schedules in October 2024. With 719 hoax bomb threats reported this year alonecompared to just 71 in 2023the new rules are designed to act as a deterrent and enhance aviation security.

Key Features of the New Rules

Under the amended rules, a new provision titled Prohibition to communicate false information has been introduced. It explicitly prohibits:

• Communicating false information that jeopardizes the safety of aircraft or aviation facilities.
• Causing panic among passengers, crew, or ground personnel.

Disrupting aviation operations.

Violators will face severe penalties. Individuals found guilty of propagating false information face a fine of up to 1 lakh and potential criminal charges. For organizations, fines range from 50 lakh for small organizations to 1 crore for large ones, depending on the scale of the entity involved.

Additionally, the Director General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) now has the authority to deny boarding to individuals deemed a security risk and remove individuals or groups from an aircraft if necessary. These provisions expand the governments ability to target those behind hoax threats, whether the threats originate from social media, calls, or emails.

Broader Legislative Changes in Progress

Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu had earlier announced plans to amend the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation (SUASCA) Act, 1982 to address threats even when aircraft are on the ground. These amendments, currently under inter-ministerial consultation, aim to make such offenses cognizable, with offenders facing jail terms and hefty fines.

Until now, existing provisions focused primarily on in-flight threats or unruly passengers. The new rules, coupled with proposed amendments, seek to cover all forms of bomb threats comprehensively.

Rising Threats Highlight Urgency

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol provided alarming statistics in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. Since 2020, Indian airlines have received 809 hoax bomb threats, with an unprecedented 719 reported in just 2024. In 2020, airlines reported receiving 4 threats, but just 2 threats in 2021. The next two years saw an increase the threats, with 71 threats recorded in 2023 and 71 threats in 2023.

This steep rise in incidents has underscored the need for tougher legislation and stricter enforcement.

The surge in fake threats has caused widespread panic, flight diversions, and delays, severely disrupting aviation operations. The governments actions aim to protect passenger safety and restore confidence in air travel.