Photo credit: www.theguardian.com
Singapore Air Force Responds to Bomb Threat on Air India Flight
On Tuesday night, Singapore’s air force took decisive action, mobilizing two F-15SG fighter jets in response to a bomb threat placed against an Air India Express flight heading for the city-state, as reported by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.
The incident unfolded when Air India flight AXB684 received an email indicating that a bomb was on board. In a prompt response, the Singapore air force scrambled two jets to intercept and escort the commercial aircraft, ensuring its safe navigation away from populated regions. This measure illustrates the heightened vigilance surrounding air travel safety in the region.
According to Ng, the escorted flight landed without incident at Changi Airport at 10:04 PM. Subsequently, Singapore’s ground-based air defense systems and explosive disposal units were put on high alert as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety.
“After landing, the aircraft was entrusted to the airport police for further investigation,” Ng detailed in a post on Facebook.
Post-landing, the police reported that a thorough security sweep found “no threat items” aboard the aircraft, but they indicated that investigations into the threat were ongoing. The police emphasized their commitment to addressing security threats and assured the public that they would take firm action against anyone found guilty of instigating such alarm.
In a related note, Air India had not issued an immediate statement regarding the incident but did confirm on social media that a separate flight destined for Chicago was rerouted to Canada as a safety measure following a separate security alert posted online.
The situation reflects a disturbing trend, with India’s national airline stating that it, along with several other carriers, has faced numerous threats in recent days. Just a day earlier, another Air India flight traveling from Mumbai to New York was diverted to Delhi due to a false bomb threat. Additionally, India’s low-cost airline, IndiGo, reported similar threats targeting flights en route to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Muscat in Oman.
The series of incidents highlights the growing concerns regarding aviation security and the need for constant vigilance in protecting passengers and crew against potential threats.
Source
www.theguardian.com