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Saudi Gazette
5 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Second Saudi Airlines flight diverted in Indonesia over bomb threat in one week
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — For the second time in less than a week, a Saudi Airlines flight from Jeddah to Indonesia has been diverted following a bomb threat, Indonesian authorities confirmed Saturday. Flight SV5688, which departed King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and was scheduled to transit through Muscat before landing in Surabaya, Indonesia, was rerouted to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan after air traffic controllers in Jakarta received a call about a possible explosive device onboard. The plane was carrying 387 passengers. Upon arrival in Medan, officials from the Regional Airports Authority began inspecting the aircraft while operations at the airport on Sumatra Island continued normally, said authority chairman Asri Santosa. The diversion comes just days after another Saudi Airlines flight — SV5276 — also en route from Jeddah to Jakarta, was redirected to the same airport in Medan following an emailed bomb threat to Indonesian authorities. That flight was carrying 442 passengers and was grounded safely while a bomb disposal team conducted a search. Saudi Airlines confirmed the prior incident, stating that the airline acted in accordance with international aviation safety protocols upon receiving the alert. The Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation said both diversions were precautionary, and no explosives were found in either case. Authorities are continuing to investigate the source of the threats.


Daily Tribune
9 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Bomb threat diverts plane of hajj pilgrims in Indonesia, second in days
A plane carrying hundreds of hajj pilgrims back to Indonesia from the Middle East was diverted Saturday after a bomb threat, the transport ministry and police said, the second such incident in a week. Saudia Airlines flight SV5688 had flown from the Saudi city of Jeddah to the Omani capital Muscat before travelling on to Indonesia where it was due to land in Surabaya, a city on the main island Java. But air traffic control officers in the Indonesian capital Jakarta received a call about a bomb threat for the flight, prompting its diversion to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan city Saturday morning, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said. Regional airport authority head Asri Santosa said in a statement officers were checking the plane after its arrival but the airport on Sumatra island remained operational. All 376 passengers, hajj pilgrims from Java, and 13 crew members were safe at the airport, North Sumatra police spokesman Ferry Walintukan told AFP. He said a bomb squad was deployed to sweep the aircraft. The passengers are due to resume their journey on Sunday, said Asri. On Tuesday a plane carrying 442 hajj pilgrims back from Saudi Arabia to Jakarta was also diverted to Medan after an email bomb threat was sent to authorities.


Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Bomb threat diverts plane of hajj pilgrims in Indonesia, second in days
This handout photo taken and released on June 21, 2025 by Indonesian Air Force s Quick Reaction Forces Command (KOPASGAT) shows a military serviceman (front 2nd R) riding on a tug pulling luggage near a Saudia aircraft at the Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, North Sumatra, after the plane was diverted following a bomb threat. Photo: AFP Listen to article A plane carrying hundreds of hajj pilgrims back to Indonesia from the Middle East was diverted Saturday after a bomb threat, the transport ministry and police said, the second such incident in a week. Saudia Airlines flight SV5688 had flown from the Saudi city of Jeddah to the Omani capital Muscat before travelling on to Indonesia where it was due to land in Surabaya, a city on the main island Java. But air traffic control officers in the Indonesian capital Jakarta received a call about a bomb threat for the flight, prompting its diversion to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan city Saturday morning, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said. Read More: Domestic Indian flight makes emergency landing in Nagpur after bomb threat Regional airport authority head Asri Santosa said in a statement officers were checking the plane after its arrival but the airport on Sumatra island remained operational. All 376 passengers, hajj pilgrims from Java, and 13 crew members were safe at the airport, North Sumatra police spokesman Ferry Walintukan told AFP. He said a bomb squad was deployed to sweep the aircraft. The passengers are due to resume their journey on Sunday, said Asri. On Tuesday a plane carrying 442 hajj pilgrims back from Saudi Arabia to Jakarta was also diverted to Medan after an email bomb threat was sent to authorities.

Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Straits Times
Bomb threat diverts plane of haj pilgrims in Indonesia, second in days
The flight was diverted to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan city. PHOTO: AFP Bomb threat diverts plane of haj pilgrims in Indonesia, second in days JAKARTA - A plane carrying hundreds of haj pilgrims back to Indonesia from the Middle East was diverted on June 21 after a bomb threat, the transport ministry and police said, the second such incident in a week. Saudia Airlines flight SV5688 had flown from the Saudi city of Jeddah to the Omani capital Muscat before travelling on to Indonesia where it was due to land in Surabaya, a city on the main island Java. But air traffic control officers in the Indonesian capital Jakarta received a call about a bomb threat for the flight, prompting its diversion to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan city on the morning of June 21, the directorate-general of Civil Aviation said. Regional airport authority head Asri Santosa said in a statement officers were checking the plane after its arrival but the airport on Sumatra island remained operational. All 376 passengers, haj pilgrims from Java, and 13 crew members were safe at the airport, North Sumatra police spokesman Ferry Walintukan told AFP. He said a bomb squad was deployed to sweep the aircraft. The passengers are due to resume their journey on June 22, said Asri. On June 17, a plane carrying 442 haj pilgrims back from Saudi Arabia to Jakarta was also diverted to Medan after an email bomb threat was sent to authorities. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


Arab News
10 hours ago
- Arab News
False bomb threat forces diversion of Saudia flight to Indonesia, second incident in a week
RIYADH: A Saudia Airlines flight carrying hundreds of Hajj pilgrims back to Indonesia from the Middle East was diverted on Saturday following a bomb threat, according to reports. It is the second such incident in a week involving a Saudia flight. Flight SV5688 was en route from Jeddah to Indonesia, with a scheduled stop in Muscat, and was due to land in Surabaya on the island of Java. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said air traffic controllers in the Indonesian capital Jakarta received a call alerting them to a bomb threat onboard the flight, prompting its diversion to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, North Sumatra, on Saturday morning. The head of the regional airport authority, Asri Santosa, said in a statement that officers were inspecting the aircraft upon arrival, though the airport remained fully operational. All 376 passengers, Hajj pilgrims from Java, and 13 crew members were reported safe, according to a North Sumatra police spokesperson. The passengers are expected to resume their journey on Sunday. On request for comment by Arab News, Saudia confirmed the security threat was ultimately deemed false. 'In strict accordance with safety protocols, Saudia diverted flight SV5688 operating to Surabaya to Kualanamu International Airport in Indonesia as a precautionary measure,' the airline said. 'The aircraft landed, and all guests and crew have deplaned safely. Local authorities conducted the required checks shortly after landing and have cleared the aircraft for continued operation. 'The safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew remain Saudia's highest priority no matter the cost. Full care and support have been provided, and onward travel arrangements to Surabaya are being made,' it added. On Tuesday, another Saudia flight carrying 442 Hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Jakarta was also diverted to Medan after authorities received an email containing a bomb threat.