As the common man in India gradually shifts from railways to airways, the runway in 2024 appeared far from ready. Despite the soaring demand, with domestic passenger traffic expected to reach 164-170 million in FY25, infrastructure and passenger experience continue to lag behind.For air travellers in India, 2024 turned out to be a year of turbulence — both in the skies and on the ground. From hoax bomb threats that forced emergency landings to passengers stranded on tarmacs without basic amenities, and infrastructure failures at key airports, flying often felt like a test of patience rather than a convenience. As fares soared and chaos sustained, India’s aviation sector did unlock milestones but at the same time, the industry grappled with challenges that left travellers frustrated.Bomb threatsThe year witnessed an alarming rise in hoax bomb threats, targeting both domestic and international flights. Authorities reported that over 999 flights faced bomb scares, as of November 14, forcing emergency landings, evacuations, and unscheduled delays.Bomb threats extended to international routes, particularly flights to and from the Middle East and Europe. Such threats disrupted schedules and resulted in flight diversions and cancellations; passengers missing connections, particularly during holiday travel seasons.Also Read: How India flexed its global power muscles in 2024One of the most significant incidents involving an Air India Express flight (AXB684) en route from Madurai to Singapore faced a bomb threat via email. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) scrambled F-15SG fighter jets, which escorted the flight away from populated areas. The plane landed safely at Changi Airport at 10:04 pm, where Singaporean authorities, including Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, were on standby.The Singapore Police Force (SPF) conducted thorough security checks but found no threat items on board.Moreover, the cost of a single bomb threat to an airline can be staggering, running into several crores. A single such incident can cost an airline anywhere between Rs 3 crore to Rs 20 crore, depending on the scale and duration of the disruption.Airfares touched the skyAirlines faced operational challenges, and passengers bore the brunt with higher fares. A study by Airports Council International (ACI) highlighted a 43% surge in domestic airfares in India during the first half of 2024 compared to 2019 levels, marking one of the steepest increases in key domestic markets globally. The report attributed this spike to a combination of high demand for air travel, constrained seat supply, and the growing influence of low-cost carriers (LCCs).Also Read:2024 was the year India became the talk of AmericaWhile international seat supply is showing signs of recovery, international fares in India also rose by 16% over pre-pandemic levels. The dominance and resilience of LCCs in India have played a major role in shaping fare trends, as they expand their market share and strengthen their pricing power in a post-pandemic aviation landscape. The infamous ‘eating on tarmac’ incident at Mumbai airportPassengers on IndiGo flight 6E2195, diverted to Mumbai Airport from Goa due to dense fog in Delhi on January 14, 2024, endured a distressing experience. Stranded for hours with minimal communication, frustrated travellers, including elderly and children, were seen sitting and eating on the tarmac, an area strictly off-limits for passengers. Many refused to board airline coaches, citing poor handling and lack of basic amenities like food or water. The incident, captured in viral videos, sparked outrage, exposing security lapses and poor crisis management. Authorities later issued show-cause notices to IndiGo and Mumbai Airport, demanding accountability and also imposed fines.Microsoft outage leaves flyers into a plane chaosThe global Microsoft outage on July 19, 2024, caused widespread disruption to airlines, severely impacting flight operations worldwide. In India, major carriers like IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Vistara faced delays and cancellations, with 300 flights grounded, including 273 by IndiGo alone. Key airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai were hit hard, with Bengaluru reporting 90% of flights from Terminal 1 being affected at one point. Airports hit by roof collapsesA series of alarming roof collapses at key airports highlighted severe lapses in structural safety and maintenance. At Delhi Airport, one of the busiest in the country, a section of terminal 1 roof collapsed during heavy rainfall, forcing terminal closures and creating panic among passengers. Emergency evacuations were carried out, and several flight operations were delayed or diverted as authorities scrambled to address the crisis. Similar incidents were reported at Rajkot and Jabalpur airports, raising concerns about the durability of newly constructed airport infrastructure and the need for stringent safety audits.