Bomb threat emails disrupt operations at Chennai Airport; International flights delayed

CHENNAI: The city airport was in a state of high alert on Sunday morning following a bomb threat received via email, prompting an extensive security operation that lasted several hours. Authorities have since declared the threat a hoax. Due to the extended security checks, some of the international flights were delayed, sources said.

The authorities of the international airport received an anonymous email claiming that bombs had been planted within the airport premises without providing any specific details regarding targeted flights or locations within the airport complex.

The threat triggered immediate action, and after an emergency meeting including all stakeholders - the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), airline representatives and local police, enhanced surveillance was deployed across the entire airport. Bomb disposal squads and sniffer dog teams engaged in intensive, multi-location sweeps. Passengers faced stricter than usual security checks, and heightened scrutiny was applied to cargo, parcels, aircraft fuel stations, and the vehicle parking areas.

Further, passengers were subjected to additional security checks, and several flights had a delayed departure, too. The Chennai Airport officials formally lodged a complaint with the Airport police station. The police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. Preliminary findings suggest the threatening email originated from outside India using a fake identity.