Man to be charged over bomb hoax made aboard flight at Changi Airport
The man had allegedly posted the threat on social media shortly before takeoff.
According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), officers were alerted on 14 February at approximately 7.20pm to a social media post that contained a threat to blow up an aircraft.
The post, reportedly made after the man had boarded the aircraft, read: 'no one here knows I'm going to blow the plane up.'
Investigations by the Airport Police Division led to the identification of the suspect within an hour of the report.
The aircraft, which was taxiing on the runway for departure to Abu Dhabi, was recalled to Changi Airport Terminal 2.
The man was arrested onboard the flight.
Police confirmed that no threat items were found in his possession and there was no actual means to carry out the threat.
The man will be charged under Section 268A of the Penal Code for communicating false information about a harmful thing.
If found guilty, he could face up to seven years' imprisonment, a fine of up to S$50,000, or both.
When contacted by state media CNA, the police declined to disclose the man's nationality.
Police stress zero tolerance for false threats
The SPF emphasised the seriousness with which all security threats are treated.
Assistant Commissioner of Police M Malathi, Commander of the Airport Police Division, said the safety and security of passengers and staff remain the top priority.
'Beyond fear and inconvenience caused, the making of false threats, especially relating to airport and airline operations, involves significant public resources that have to be deployed to deal with the incident,' she stated.
'All security threats will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible will be tracked down and prosecuted.'
Previous bomb threat in October 2024
In a similar incident in October 2024, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) deployed two F-15SG fighter jets in response to a bomb threat on an incoming Air India Express flight.
The flight, which was bound for Singapore, was safely escorted to Changi Airport where no threats were found upon inspection.
That incident was one of several bomb threats made against flights departing from India on 14 and 15 October 2024.
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