Aviation Safety Body Holds Meeting Airline CEOs Following 70 Bomb Threats in Just 6 Days
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) held a crucial meeting with airline CEOs in New Delhi following an alarming surge in bomb threats, totaling 70 in just six days. During the meeting, officials urged adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for managing these threats, which have disrupted flights and caused financial losses. Over 30 bomb threats were reported on Saturday alone, with some traced back to IP addresses in countries like London and Germany. The BCAS, along with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), plans to issue new guidelines to help airlines handle such incidents. A 17-year-old boy was arrested for issuing threats related to several flights, highlighting concerns over prank calls and the potential need for stricter regulations in aviation security.
Railways Shortens Advance Ticket Booking Period to 60 Days Starting November
The Indian Railways has announced a significant reduction in the advance ticket booking period, cutting it from 120 days to 60 days starting November 1. Passengers can continue to book tickets up to 120 days in advance until October 31, with all prior bookings remaining valid. The Railways noted that this change aims to streamline the booking process, as tickets reserved 120 days ahead are often canceled, while those booked within 60 days tend to stay confirmed. Certain daytime express trains will not be affected by this new rule, and the advance booking limit for foreign tourists will remain unchanged at 365 days.
Over 1,000 Foreign Tourists Stranded in Nepal Due to Bad Weather, flight cancelled
Over 1,000 foreign tourists are stranded in Nepal after bad weather led to the cancellation of flights to Lukla, the main gateway to Mt. Everest. Approximately 1,300 trekkers have been stuck in Manthali, Ramechhap district, for two days due to grounded flights. While some tourists are traveling by land to Faplu, others have taken helicopters to Surkhet. An official from the Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the tourists arrived via private airlines, eager to continue their trek during the busy autumn season, a peak time for Everest explorers.
10 Indian flights receive Bomb threats in 48 Hours “Aviation Authority Launches Investigation”
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has initiated an investigation following bomb threats that affected ten flights in less than 48 hours. On Tuesday, threats issued from an unverified account on X (formerly Twitter) led to significant disruptions, including the diversion of Air India Flight AI 127 from Delhi to Chicago to Iqaluit Airport in Canada. Other flights, such as IndiGo Flight 6E 98, also made emergency landings due to safety concerns. Authorities are working closely with airlines to ensure passenger security as they investigate the origins of these threats.
“Indian Railways Launches 6,000 Special Trains for October Festival Rush”
In anticipation of the festive season, Indian Railways has announced plans to introduce nearly 6,000 special trains to accommodate the surge in passenger demand during October, which includes major festivals like Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja. This initiative aims to serve over one crore (10 million) travelers, particularly on routes to states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has also confirmed the addition of general coaches to regular trains, enhancing capacity and comfort. With this year's deployment of 5,975 special trains, compared to 4,429 last year, Indian Railways is committed to ensuring a smooth travel experience during the busy festive period.
