On Sunday morning, a passenger was arrested at Kochi International Airport for making a “disturbing comment” during security checks.
Manoj Kumar, 42, who was planning to fly from Kochi to Mumbai on Air India flight AI 682, asked a CISF officer at the X-Ray Baggage Inspection System (XBIS) whether there was a bomb in his bag.
The comment immediately raised alarm and led to a thorough inspection of his cabin and checked baggage by the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS). No threat was found, but Kumar was ejected and handed over to local police for further investigation.
The flight took off as planned, the airport said in a statement.
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The word “bomb” is a big taboo at airports
Airports treat any mention of threats, especially words like “bomb” and “hijack,” with utmost seriousness. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, which sets flight safety standards at international and domestic airports in India, warns against joking threats (even from children) as they can lead to delays for the whole family and fines.
Statements such as “I have a bomb in my pocket” must be avoided as these are considered serious offenses and are against the law.
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In a similar incident in June this year, a passenger on an Air India flight from Kochi to London Gatwick was arrested for making a bomb threat that turned out to be a hoax.
Shuhaib (30) of Kondotty in Malappuram was planning to board AI 149 with his wife and daughter. According to police, he made the bomb threat during a call to Air India customer care in Mumbai late on Monday. Frustrated because his request to rebook the flight was rejected due to his daughter’s food poisoning, Shuhaib falsely claimed that there was a bomb on board.
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Airports under alert during Independence Day celebrations
In preparation for Independence Day, security checks have been tightened at all airports, including Cochin, until August 20.
During this busy period, expect longer processing times. Authorities advise travelers to arrive early to ensure a smooth journey, timely check-in, and thorough security procedures.
