Vikram Dev Dutt, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has been transferred to the Ministry of Coal as Secretary following an alarming rise in bomb threats targeting Indian airlines. This transfer comes at a time when the Indian aviation industry is grappling with security concerns, as nearly 70 bomb threats have been reported in less than a week. A Joint Secretary-level official is likely to assume Dutt’s previous role, although an official announcement is yet to be made.
The surge in bomb threats has caused widespread disruption in the aviation sector. On Saturday alone, officials reported nearly 30 bomb threats made to various flights, prompting heightened security measures. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) held a high-level meeting with airline CEOs at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan to review the situation. The meeting, convened by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, focused on strengthening Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to deal with such threats, which not only instill fear among passengers but also create operational challenges and financial losses for airlines.Airlines have been forced to divert flights, cancel services, and reschedule operations due to these threats, which have severely affected passenger travel and the aviation industry’s overall functioning. The recent wave of bomb threats has exposed vulnerabilities in the system and raised concerns about security protocols across airlines and airports in the country.Authorities have launched an investigation to trace the origins of these threats. Initial reports suggest that the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses linked to some of the bomb threats have been traced to locations in London, Germany, Canada, and the United States. However, officials suspect that some perpetrators might have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to disguise their actual locations, making it more difficult to pinpoint their whereabouts. This has complicated efforts to track down those responsible for spreading fear and causing widespread disruption.The alarming frequency of these threats has put the aviation sector on high alert, with further steps expected to be taken to bolster security and safeguard passengers. The transfer of the DGCA chief during such a critical period highlights the gravity of the situation, as the government seeks to restore confidence in airline safety and ensure that the industry operates without constant disruption.As security agencies continue their investigations, more meetings and discussions are anticipated to enhance preparedness and coordination across different aviation stakeholders. In the meantime, airline operators are facing tremendous pressure to maintain smooth operations while adhering to stringent security protocols to prevent any further incidents
