Indian passenger flight to Singapore faces bomb threat

By Kim Joo-heon Posted : October 16, 2024, 13:50 Updated : October 16, 2024, 13:50
An Air India Express passenger flight takes off. Captured from the official Facebook of Air India Express
SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - An Air India Express passenger flight heading to Singapore received a bomb threat shortly after takeoff, prompting the deployment of fighter jets for escort.  

Air India Express received an email indicating a bomb was on board its plane departing from Madurai in southern India for Singapore on Tuesday. 

In response, the Singapore Air Force dispatched two fighter jets to escort the passenger plane. 

The plane circled for about an hour before landing at Changi Airport in Singapore around 10 p.m., more than an hour later than its scheduled arrival.

Singapore police reported that the bomb threat was received at 8:25 p.m., shortly after the aircraft took off. 

According to Singapore's defense minister Ng Eng Hen, the fighter jets were deployed to ensure the aircraft flew away from densely populated areas, and they handed over the safely landed passenger plane to the police.

Before the aircraft's landing, the defense ministry activated ground-based air defense systems and deployed a bomb disposal team in preparation for the incident. 

Police confirmed that no bomb was found during the security search and are currently investigating the threat.