Bomb Scare at Cape Town Airport: Two arrested

Picture courtesy: (FlySafair) The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) reported a bomb threat on FlySafair flight FA 102, which was scheduled to depart for OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday.

Nsuku khosa and Martin Ngobeni

(The News News)- On Thursday night, June 6, the crew of a departing flight reported a potential security threat on board, prompting the SAPS Bomb Squad to be dispatched to the Cape Town International Airport.

The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) reported a threat on FlySafair flight FA 102, which was scheduled to depart for OR Tambo International Airport.

According to ACSA, the situation was handled by South African Police Services (SAPS) and relevant authorities.

The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) reported a security threat on flight FA 102, which was scheduled to depart for OR Tambo International Airport yesterday. This comes after two individuals made threats suggesting that there was an explosive device on board. The two suspects were taken into custody in connection with the incident, according to (ACSA).

The aircraft was immediately evacuated, and the bomb squad was called in to sweep the plane and airport.

ACSA wants to reassure the public that the security scare was a one-off incident sparked by remarks from two passengers on the plane.

The incident was confined to that specific aircraft, and the SAPS has given the all-clear. The passengers were rebooked on a different flight and arrived safely at their destination, with no further issues.

At the time,some passengers took to social media, tagging FlySafair and expressing their anger and frustration over how events unfolded.

ACSA has confirmed that all safety protocols were followed, and operations at the airport have returned to normal.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) and airport officials responded swiftly to the threat, ensuring the safety of all passengers and staff. The two suspects are currently in custody, facing charges related to the bomb scare.

“The situation has been brought under control, with no ongoing threats to the airport’s operations. Airport management wants to reassure passengers and partners that the incident has not caused any disruptions to flights and services and that Cape Town International Airport is functioning normally today’’ said ACSA.

ACSA’s Mark Maclean commended SAPS and AVSEC for their joint efforts in ensuring the safety and security of passengers and crew.

He emphasised that the well-being of passengers and crew is a top priority, and the successful handling of the incident demonstrates the importance of effective collaboration, incident management, and security measures, which are always prioritized by airport and airline management.

The incident caused minimal disruption to airport operations, and passengers have been praised for their cooperation and calm demeanour during the situation.

The swift response by authorities has been commended and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.