An Australian man, aged 30, was apprehended on Thursday for allegedly issuing a bomb threat on a Scoot flight bound for Perth.
Upon receiving reports, a police spokesperson disclosed that authorities were alerted to the purported bomb threat at approximately 4:55 pm. The male passenger was taken into custody on charges of criminal intimidation, following the completion of security checks.
The investigation into this incident is currently underway.
Upon knowing the threat, Singapore’s air force and emergency services sprang into action as they escorted a Scoot flight back to Changi Airport in response to the bomb threat, as reported by the budget airline earlier.
Approximately one hour into its journey to Perth, the decision to return the flight was taken as a precautionary measure due to the bomb threat, according to Scoot’s statement. The airline, however, did not disclose the specifics of the threat.
In a Facebook post, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen confirmed that two F-15SG fighter planes had been deployed to provide an escort for the Scoot flight. The flight landed safely in Singapore at 6:27 pm local time, where thorough security checks were conducted, according to the low-cost arm of the Singapore Airlines Group.
“The police take security threats seriously and will not hesitate to take action against those who intentionally cause public alarm,” the spokesman added.
Responding to inquiries later during the day, a spokesperson from the budget airline Scoot updated that the flight took off from Changi Airport at 4:11 pm. Approximately one hour into the journey, a decision was made to return due to the presence of a bomb threat. The aircraft safely landed at Changi Airport at 6:27 pm.
The spokesperson added that the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was called into action to provide an escort for the aircraft’s return to Changi Airport. Simultaneously, emergency services were activated.
TR16 arrived safely in Singapore at 6:27 pm, where comprehensive security checks were conducted. Scoot is cooperating with the authorities in their ongoing investigations. Due to the sensitive nature of this security issue, we are unable to disclose further details at this time.
“Scoot sincerely apologizes for the disruption and inconvenience caused. The safety of our customers and crew is our top priority, and we will continue to provide assistance to our customers,” added by the airline’s spokesperson.
Flight TR16, carrying 363 passengers and nine cabin crew members with two pilots, encountered an unusual route on its journey to Perth. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was observed flying in circular patterns off the east coast of Malaysia before heading towards Changi Airport. Despite its original destination being Perth at 8:35 pm, an alert on social media reported that the flight had made a 7700 squawk, indicating an emergency. At 7:40 pm, passengers remained on board the aircraft.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore announced that a runway at Changi Airport was temporarily closed from 6:26 pm to 7:25 pm to assist with ground operations. This closure resulted in delays for eight arriving flights and six departing flights, one of which was carrying National Development Minister Desmond Lee, returning from Kuala Lumpur.
(Source: South China Morning Post | Reuters | Aqil Hamzah | The Straits Times)
