VARANASI- A Canadian national was arrested Saturday night (April 26, 2025) after causing panic aboard an IndiGo Airlines (6E) flight from Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) by falsely claiming he possessed a bomb.
Security protocols were immediately activated as the aircraft was moved to an isolation bay for thorough inspection. After confirming the threat was a hoax, the passenger was detained and handed over to police, with officials stating the individual deliberately provided false information to delay airport operations.
Photo: Robin Hardy IndiGo Canadian Passenger Arrested
The incident occurred when the Canadian passenger, identified as Nishant, made verbal bomb threats to fellow travelers, triggering immediate action from the IndiGo crew.
Flight attendants promptly alerted Air Traffic Control (ATC), initiating standard emergency procedures that required evacuating passengers and conducting comprehensive security sweeps.
“The passenger who gave this information, a citizen of Canada, was handed over to the Police,” stated Akash Patel, DCP of Gomti zone in Varanasi. “All security agencies interrogated him, and it was revealed he had given false information to delay airport operations. An FIR is being registered against him under appropriate sections, and the Canadian High Commission will also be informed.”
This incident represents part of a disturbing pattern of bomb threats targeting Indian aviation.
According to data presented to Parliament by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol in February 2025, airline operators across India received 728 hoax bomb threats in 2024 alone, resulting in 13 arrests.
IndiGo Airlines faced the highest number of these hoax calls with 216 incidents, followed by Air India (AI) with 179, former airline Vistara with 153, and Akasa Air with 72. Other affected carriers include SpiceJet (35), Alliance Air (26), Air India Express (19), and Star Air (5).
Photo: VT-VLO TwitterSecurity Protocols
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has implemented comprehensive procedures to address bomb threats, regardless of their perceived credibility. These protocols include:
- Immediate isolation of the aircraft in designated areas
- Thorough security inspections by bomb disposal squads
- Passenger screening and re-verification
- Coordination with multiple security agencies
- Mandatory criminal charges against individuals making false threats
“BCAS has issued advisories to all Civil Aviation stakeholders in the country to ensure streamlined security measures and prevent any unlawful interference with civil aviation,” explained Puneet Gupta, the airport director at Varanasi. He confirmed the flight was eventually cleared to continue its journey to Bengaluru after completing all security checks.
Photo: File:Busy apron of Trivandrum international airport.jpg – Wikimedia CommonsBroader Security Concerns
This incident coincides with other security threats across India’s aviation infrastructure. On the same day, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) in Kerala received a bomb threat via email, following similar threats to several hotels in the state capital.
Airport authorities responded by deploying bomb disposal squads and conducting thorough inspections of all terminals. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges facing aviation security personnel who must treat each threat with utmost seriousness while minimizing disruption to thousands of daily travelers.
Legal consequences for individuals making false bomb threats are severe, including imprisonment and substantial fines. Further, Airlines can pursue civil damages for operational losses caused by such hoaxes.
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IndiGo Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Mumbai After Bomb Threat
The post IndiGo Canadian Passenger Arrested for Bomb Threat on Varanasi to Bengaluru Flight appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
