After a bomb threat caused a passenger airliner heading for Perth to return to Singapore with fighter jet escort, a West Australian man has reportedly been charged.
Yesterday at 4:10 p.m. local time, the Scoot low-cost flight TR16 departed Singapore’s Changi Airport in direction of Perth, Western Australia.
A bomb threat is said to have been made in the middle of the flight around 40 minutes in.
The Dreamliner 787 aircraft made numerous circles off the coast of Singapore before turning around and returning, according to flight monitoring data.
Before the bomb threat was revealed, passengers were first informed that there was a “technical issue” when the military escort approached their window.
The captain said to the passengers, “A call was received that a bomb is on board our aircraft,” before adding, “Please do not be alarmed as we believe it is a hoax.”
Passengers were terrified following the incidents. “I know there was no internet up there but I just kept typing and typing and typing,” Sue Nair stated to.
“I really panicked.” Two F-15SG fighter jets were dispatched, according to Singapore’s Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen, to escort the Scoot flight back to Changi Airport.
At around 6.30 p.m. Singapore time , the plane made a safe landing. Security personnel then entered the aircraft.
According to local media, during the operation, one runway was closed and a number of incoming flights experienced delays.
Police pulled the 30-year-old Australian guy off the Scoot aircraft after he was reportedly charged. The man was “a bit dazed,” according to passengers, and “he didn’t speak at all” when crew and authorities addressed him.
The man’s pal said that his partner had been having mental health issues. “I spoke to his mum this morning, she’s very distressed, very confused,” a friend said.
“I’m worried he’s not getting the support he needs, he’s got no one around him, he’s an Aussie overseas.”
After an eight-hour delay, passengers on aircraft TR16 finally arrived at Perth Airport about 4am.
Although most passengers were merely relieved to be home safely, the airline apologised to passengers for the disturbance to their trip.
