In a significant shakeup, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Vikram Dev Dutt has been transferred to the Ministry of Coal, where he will assume the role of secretary. This transfer follows a series of bomb threat incidents targeting Indian airlines, raising questions about lapses in aviation security protocols.
The transfer of Dutt underscores the seriousness of the situation, as the civil aviation sector grapples with these continuous hoax bomb threats. Over the past four days, numerous Indian airlines have received bomb threats, leading to heightened security concerns.
In response, the Director General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Zulfiquar Hasan, convened a meeting with airline representatives in Delhi on Saturday. The meeting aimed to address the challenges airlines are facing in the wake of these threats. According to officials, airline representatives expressed concerns about security measures, especially during the busy festive season, which could lead to congestion at airports.
During the meeting, BCAS emphasised the importance of strictly adhering to safety and security guidelines. BCAS officials assured airlines that they are working with relevant agencies to investigate the source of the bomb threats and ensure passenger safety.
The surge in threats has placed a significant burden on airlines, security forces, and passengers, challenging aviation stakeholders to maintain operational stability during a critical time.