Fighter jets escort flight back to Singapore after bomb threat
PTC News Desk: A Scoot flight was escorted back to Singapore by fighter jets on Thursday after a passenger allegedly made a bomb threat, according to the Straits Times. "A precautionary decision was made to turn the aircraft back to Singapore due to a bomb threat" around an hour into the flight, Scoot, Singapore Airlines' budget unit, said in a statement.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) claimed in a Facebook post that two F-15SG fighter planes were activated to escort the Scoot aircraft. This is standard protocol in such cases.
The flight, which carried 363 passengers, nine cabin crew members, and two pilots, safely landed around two hours after takeoff.
''Earlier this evening, two of our F-15SG fighter aircraft were activated to escort a Scoot flight, TR16, back to Singapore Changi Airport due to a suspected bomb threat onboard the aircraft. The flight had departed Singapore and was en route to Perth. Our fighters escorted the airliner till it landed safely at Changi Airport. Team RSAF is always ready 24/7 to keep Singapore's skies safe,'' the post stated.
''The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was activated to escort the aircraft back to Changi Airport. Emergency services were also activated. TR16 landed safely in Singapore at 6.27 pm where security checks were carried out. Scoot is assisting the authorities with their investigations. As this is a security matter, we regret that we are unable to provide further details. Scoot sincerely apologises 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," the spokesman for Scoot added.
The 30-year-old Australian male passenger was arrested for criminal intimidation after the police completed their security checks.
''The police take security threats seriously and will not hesitate to take action against those who intentionally cause public alarm,'' an official said.
- With inputs from agencies
