Emergency Services Respond to Bomb Threat Scare on Sydney-bound Flight
A bomb threat on an Air New Zealand flight caused a major scare at Sydney Airport on Friday, 18 October 2024, as emergency crews swarmed the tarmac. The flight, carrying 140 passengers from Wellington, landed at 5:40pm, but remained isolated on the runway after a staff member raised the alarm about a possible bomb on board.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) responded quickly, isolating the aircraft at a safe distance from the terminals. A thorough search of the plane, passengers, and luggage was conducted, with no suspicious items found. The AFP confirmed there was no threat to the community and continues to investigate the incident.
More than 40 emergency crews, including heavily armed officers and NSW Fire and Rescue teams, attended the scene. The passengers were allowed to disembark after the aircraft was ferried to a terminal about an hour later.
Air New Zealand Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer, David Morgan, assured the public that security protocols were followed. However, the return flight to Wellington was canceled as a precaution. Morgan apologized for the inconvenience but emphasized that passenger safety remains the airline’s top priority.
This incident comes shortly after 35 bomb threats were reported in India earlier in the week and less than 24 hours after King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived at Sydney Airport.
Source AFP