8 years ago, when the Biju Patnaik International Airport received a major hoax bomb scare: Passengers and pilot recount scary episode

Bhubaneswar: On a tense day in 2016, the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, found itself at the center of a major security scare. A hoax caller claimed that bombs had been planted on a Bhubaneswar-Mumbai flight, triggering a series of events that disrupted air travel and caused widespread panic among passengers and airport staff. This incident not only highlighted the vulnerabilities in airport security but also served as a catalyst for improving emergency response protocols in Indian airports.

Chronology of Events

The Hoax Call

On the day of the incident in 2016, the BPIA control room received an anonymous call claiming that explosives had been placed on a Bhubaneswar-Mumbai flight. The caller, later identified as a Bhubaneswar resident, provided no specific details about the alleged threat.

Pravat Ranjan Beuria, who was the Airport Director at the time, recounted:

"Our control room received the call in the morning hours. The caller spoke in Hindi and claimed that bombs were on a Mumbai-bound flight. We immediately activated our emergency protocols and alerted all relevant authorities."

Immediate Response

Following the call, airport authorities quickly implemented their emergency procedures:

1. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was notified and mobilized.
2. Local police and bomb disposal squads were called to the airport.
3. Departing flights were temporarily grounded.
4. Incoming flights were diverted to nearby airports as a precautionary measure.

Flight Disruptions

The bomb scare had an immediate impact on flight operations:

1. A GoAir flight en route to Mumbai was forced to make an emergency landing in Nagpur.
2. Other flights bound for Delhi and Mumbai were subjected to rigorous security checks at BPIA.
3. Several incoming flights were diverted to other airports in the region.

Passenger Experiences

The incident caused significant distress and inconvenience to travelers. Dewashankar Tripathy, a Bhubaneswar resident with a friend on the affected GoAir flight, recounted:

"Passengers had a harrowing time apprehending the worst. One of my friends was travelling in the GoAir flight. We were worried till he reached Mumbai. He said there was confusion and apprehension throughout the journey."

Security Sweep and All-Clear

A comprehensive security sweep of the airport premises and all suspicious flights was conducted:

1. Bomb disposal squads thoroughly checked the terminal buildings and parked aircraft.
2. Sniffer dogs were deployed to search for any explosive materials.
3. Passenger luggage was re-screened and subjected to additional checks.

After several hours of meticulous searching, no explosives were found, and the airport was declared safe.

Aftermath and Investigations

Apprehension of the Hoax Caller

In a swift investigation, authorities traced the call to a Bhubaneswar resident who was subsequently detained in Pune. The Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner at the time stated:

"The suspect was apprehended in Pune within 24 hours of making the hoax call. Preliminary investigations suggested that he made the call to delay a flight that his friend was supposed to board."

Impact on Airport Operations

The incident caused significant disruptions to airport operations:

1. Multiple flights were delayed by several hours.
2. Some flights had to be rescheduled to the next day.
3. Hundreds of passengers faced inconvenience due to the delays and enhanced security measures.

Long-Term Implications and Changes

Security Measures Review

The 2016 incident prompted a review of existing security measures at BPIA and other airports across India. In the years following the incident, several changes were implemented:

1. Enhanced verification processes for threat calls were put in place.
2. Communication protocols during emergencies were improved to provide clearer information to passengers.
3. Staff training for handling such situations was intensified.

Legal Consequences for Hoax Callers

The incident reignited discussions about stricter penalties for those making false bomb threats. In subsequent years, there were calls for more severe legal consequences for such actions.

Reflection and Lessons Learned

Looking back on the 2016 incident, aviation security expert Capt. Amit Singh observed:

"The Bhubaneswar airport hoax served as a wake-up call for the Indian aviation sector. It highlighted the need for a balanced approach – one that ensures thorough security measures while also developing mechanisms to quickly assess the credibility of threats to minimize unnecessary disruptions."

Dr. Anita Rath, a clinical psychologist, reflected on the long-term impact on passenger psychology:

"Incidents like the 2016 Bhubaneswar hoax can have lasting effects on travelers' psyche. In the years since, we've seen a greater emphasis on providing clear communication and psychological support to passengers during such events, which is a positive development."

Conclusion

The 2016 bomb hoax at Biju Patnaik International Airport served as a significant event in the evolution of airport security measures in India. While it caused considerable disruption and anxiety at the time, it also led to improvements in emergency response protocols, communication strategies, and security procedures.

As we look back on this incident, it remains a stark reminder of the challenges faced by airport authorities in balancing security concerns with operational efficiency. The lessons learned from this event continue to inform and shape airport security practices, contributing to safer and more resilient air travel experiences for passengers across India.