Friday, April 6, 2018

Man arrested for making false bomb threat on Scoot flight

Source Website: http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/man-arrested-making-false-bomb-threat-scoot-flight
By Karamjit Kaur, Senior Aviation Correspondent, & Fabian Koh, The New Paper, 06 April 2018 at 06:00 am


Scoot Flight TR634 (above) was escorted back to Singapore by two Republic of Singapore Air Force fighter jets.
PHOTO: Scoot Flight TR634 (above) was escorted back to Singapore by two Republic of Singapore Air Force fighter jets.
TNP PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Picture posted by Karamjit Kaur, Senior Aviation Correspondent, & Fabian Koh, The New Paper, 06 April 2018 at 06:00 am
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http://www.tnp.sg/sites/default/files/styles/rl780/public/articles/2018/04/06/NP_20180406_KABOMB06_3889304.jpg?itok=9NwKrLD4
http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/man-arrested-making-false-bomb-threat-scoot-flight


Scoot flight turned back to S'pore after he claimed he had bomb in luggage

A 41-year-old has been arrested for making a false bomb threat on board a Scoot flight from Singapore to Hat Yai, Thailand, which resulted in the plane returning to Changi Airport.

Flight TR634, which left Changi Airport at 1.20pm yesterday, was escorted back by two Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15SG jets. This is protocol for such incidents, The Straits Times understands.

The flight landed without incident at 3.23pm. A Scoot spokesman said the aircraft was carrying 173 passengers and six crew members.

The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect claimed he had a bomb in his carry-on baggage to a member of the flight crew. The pilot then decided to turn the plane back to Singapore.

A thorough security search was carried out on board the plane and the baggage of the suspect and his two travelling companions was examined. But no suspicious articles were found.

The Straits Times understands that the suspect is Singaporean.

He was arrested under Regulation 8(1) of the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Regulations, which states that it is an offence for a person to make false claims that a terrorist act has been, is being or will be carried out.

Those found guilty can be punished with a fine not exceeding $500,000 or with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or both.

DELAYS
The bogus bomb threat caused delays to passengers both in Singapore and Hat Yai.

Passengers on Flight TR634 bound for Hat Yai were finally able to depart again at about 6.30pm after the aircraft was declared safe following investigations, and associated procedures were concluded.

Student Daryl Koh, 18, was in Hat Yai waiting to board the return Scoot flight to Singapore.

Passengers were initially told that the delay was due to technical issues.

He said: "We didn't expect a flight delay, and certainly not a bomb threat."

In a Facebook post, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said that the two RSAF fighter jets took off within minutes after the pilots scrambled.


Scoot Flight TR634 was escorted back to Singapore by two Republic of Singapore Air Force fighter jets, one of which can be seen in the photo above.
PHOTO: Scoot Flight TR634 was escorted back to Singapore by two Republic of Singapore Air Force fighter jets, one of which can be seen in the photo above.
TNP PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Picture posted by Karamjit Kaur, Senior Aviation Correspondent, & Fabian Koh, The New Paper, 06 April 2018 at 06:00 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWB3TMP7CcIBGkewYApkbdK5HN2xgMz0E4tKVyDLqxIYEd8hlcRS3m2WSX3xSYp2JwX25FxTUs5gi2E5raQGnDUabtnW25I-UBjzU2Uz_Sf-HnjVwTSGmGNL2YNTQ5let7S5kspQEzsrA/s1600/NP_20180406_KABOMB06T39O_3889308.jpg
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http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/man-arrested-making-false-bomb-threat-scoot-flight


Dr Ng added that RSAF pilots are on standby round the clock, and that "every threat is considered real until proven otherwise".

This is the second such threat against a Singapore carrier in recent weeks.

Last month, a Singapore Airlines flight from Taipei to Singapore was delayed after a woman called the Taipei police hotline from a payphone, claiming there was a bomb on Flight SQ879.

The plane took off 25 minutes late after the threat was confirmed as a hoax.


2 Fighter Jets Escort Scoot Flight With Alleged Bomb Threat Back To Singapore Safely
PHOTO: 2 Fighter Jets Escort Scoot Flight With Alleged Bomb Threat Back To Singapore Safely
Mr Ng said the F-15SG pilots closely escorted the Scoot plane from South China Sea, for a safe landing back at Changi Airport. He praise our Republic of Singapore Airforce (RSAF) pilots for their swift response.
"But for our RSAF pilots who are on stand-by duties 24/7, every threat is considered real until proven otherwise. They keep us and our skies safe. Well done, The Republic of Singapore Air Force."
Posted by Joelynn on 05 April 2018
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https://mustsharenews.com/scoot-flight-bomb-threat/
 
 By Karamjit Kaur, Senior Aviation Correspondent, & Fabian Koh, The New Paper, 06 April 2018 at 06:00 am
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Reference
[1] Karamjit Kaur, Senior Aviation Correspondent, & Fabian Koh, The New Paper, Man arrested for making false bomb threat on Scoot flight, posted on 06 April 2018 at 06:00, http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/man-arrested-making-false-bomb-threat-scoot-flight
 
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