Singapore scrambles F-16 fighter jets to escort passenger plane after false bomb threat
- Police were notified about the bomb threat on a Singapore Airlines flight from San Francisco at around 2.40am on Wednesday morning
- A 37-year-old man has been arrested for making false terrorist threats and for suspected drug consumption after a bomb squad quashed his claims
Police were notified of a bomb threat on Singapore Airlines flight SQ33 from San Francisco at around 2.40am on Wednesday, the statement said.
The plane landed safely at Changi Airport about three hours later, escorted by fighter jets.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that a 37-year-old male passenger had allegedly claimed that there was a bomb in a hand-carry bag, and had assaulted the crew,” the police statement said.
The man was restrained by crew members and later arrested for making false threats of a terrorist act and for suspected drug consumption.
“Singapore Airlines can confirm that an unruly passenger allegedly hit a cabin crew member and made a bomb threat on board flight SQ33,” the airline said in a statement.
Passengers and crew disembarked normally after security checks of the aircraft were completed, they added.