IndiGo Flights Diverted Amid Bomb Threats in India

A flight operated by IndiGo, travelling from Madinah to Hyderabad, was compelled to make an emergency landing in Ahmedabad on Thursday due to a bomb threat. The aircraft was carrying 180 passengers and six crew members at the time of the incident, which occurred around midday, according to officials at the airport. The emergency landing was prompted by an email received by Hyderabad airport authorities warning that the plane would be detonated if it landed at its intended destination.

In a concurrent event, another IndiGo flight, which had departed from Sharjah, was diverted to Mumbai following a similar bomb threat. The aircraft, also bound for Hyderabad, was redirected mid-flight and landed safely. Security measures were escalated at both locations in response to these threats, with thorough inspections conducted on the aircrafts.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been actively monitoring the situation, particularly as IndiGo faces significant operational challenges. The airline has been grappling with unprecedented flight delays and cancellations, primarily attributed to a shortage of pilots. Reports indicate that IndiGo has cancelled over 200 flights on several days this week, with its on-time performance dropping to 35%, the lowest among all Indian carriers.

Passengers have expressed frustration, with some waiting at airports for up to 10 hours. The DGCA has summoned IndiGo's senior management to provide an explanation for the disruptions, which are affecting a peak travel season when domestic flight numbers exceed 500,000 daily.

In light of the operational difficulties, IndiGo announced it would implement “calibrated adjustments” to its flight schedule, which are expected to continue for at least 48 hours. This decision comes after new crew duty regulations introduced in November further exacerbated staffing issues, contributing to 62% of cancellations last month being linked to crew constraints.

The impact of these operational issues has led to sharp increases in ticket prices, with one-way fares for routes such as Delhi to Bengaluru soaring between ₹11,000 and ₹43,000. Major airports, including those in Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, have reported significant congestion, and passengers at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport faced more than 30 outbound cancellations on Thursday alone.

Hyderabad airport authorities clarified that the delays were specifically tied to IndiGo operations, while overall airport functionality remained unaffected. As investigations continue into the bomb threats affecting both flights, security agencies are working diligently to ensure the safety of all passengers.

Ahmedabad's Deputy Police Commissioner Atul Bansal confirmed that the flight that landed in Ahmedabad had been guided to an isolated area upon arrival, where it underwent a security check. No suspicious items were found during the inspection, and a passenger who allegedly claimed to be carrying an explosive device has been detained for questioning.

The back-to-back bomb threats have prompted heightened security protocols at airports across India as officials strive to ensure the safety of travellers during this challenging period for the airline industry.