Bomb threat flight protocol?

• Indian carriers, including Tata group airlines, IndiGo, Alliance Air, and Star Air, have been facing a wave of threats over the past two weeks.
• The threats have led to significant flight delays and financial losses, with the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, stating that most threats have been through social media.
• Intelligence agencies are investigating the issue, with a strong possibility of cases being registered.
• The threats are largely online, with tracking of IP addresses and virtual private network use in focus.
• The Minister emphasized that despite the possibility of hoax calls, no action is being left unchecked.
• The main security guidelines and directives are rooted in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Annex 17–Aviation Security (Restricted).
• The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and other agencies involved in the situation are responsible for implementing standards and measures for the security of civilian flights.
• Amendments to the Aircraft Act 1934, the Aircraft Rules 1937, and subordinate pieces of legislation are being planned to ensure stringent punishment and placing offenders on a ‘no-fly list’.
• Contingency procedures for unusual occurrences include bomb threats, hijacks, radio communication failure, and other emergencies associated with aircraft.
• An aviation security expert suggests that tackling hoax calls would require investment in technology such as advanced call tracking systems, AI-powered call analysis, voice stress analysis, comprehensive threat assessment, and rewards and incentives for informers.