Fines of up to Rs 1 lakh for individuals, Rs 1 crore for organisations for fake bomb threats to flights

Under the revised rules, hoax bomb threats are now classified as a Level 6 offence, the highest severity level.

In response to the significant disruptions caused by a series of fake bomb threats to flights in October, the government has made issuing such messages a punishable offence under the amended Aircraft (Security) Rules. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) notified the amendments on Monday, and they took immediate effect.

Under the revised rules, hoax bomb threats are now classified as a Level 6 offence, the highest severity level. According to the Indian Express report, these offences can attract penalties ranging from Rs 1 lakh for individuals to Rs 1 crore for organisations with more than 300 employees.

The amendment introduces a new rule titled "Prohibition to communicate false information," which prohibits individuals from making false statements that could: (a) jeopardise the safety and security of an aircraft, aerodrome, or civil aviation facility; (b) cause panic among passengers, crew, ground personnel, or the general public; or (c) disrupt civil aviation operations.

Additionally, the amendment grants the Director General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) the authority to issue written instructions to refuse admission to any individual or group of individuals on an aircraft or to require them to leave. This provision is intended to allow authorities to prevent individuals behind hoax threats from boarding flights.

Previously, the rule allowing for the banning of individuals from flying applied only to unruly passengers, including those who made bomb threats while on board. The new provisions now extend to those making such threats remotely via phone calls, social media, or emails.

MoCA is also pursuing legislative amendments to enforce stricter punishments for individuals behind fake bomb threats. In the absence of specific legal provisions for bomb threats to aircraft, such hoax messages have been dealt with under the country’s general criminal laws, the Indian Express report added.