Bomb scare at Cape Town airport

The South African Police Service (SAPS) Bomb Squad was deployed to a FlySafair plane following a security threat.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) said that the SAPS Bomb Squad was deployed to the Cape Town International Airport after the crew of a departing flight was alerted to a possible security threat aboard the aircraft.

It said that the threat was successfully managed by the SAPS and relevant law enforcement agencies. 

The passengers and crew aboard FlySafair FA102, which was due to depart for O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, were all safely disembarked.

“The safety and security of the passengers and crew are of utmost importance. All passengers and crew have safely disembarked the flight,” said Mark Maclean, ACSA Regional General Manager, Cluster 2.

“We would like to praise the airline for their prompt response to what was a serious security concern, and we also laud the combined efforts of the SAPS and AVSEC in upholding the safety and security of passengers and cabin crew.”

ACSA said that the incident was an isolated incident triggered by comments made by two passengers aboard the aircraft.

“It must be made clear that the incident was isolated to a specific aircraft, and SAPS have since declared the aircraft safe. The passengers were rebooked onto another flight and later arrived safely at their destination.”

“We can confirm that two suspects were apprehended and that there are no further risks to airport operations.”

“Airport management on site would like to assure passengers and stakeholders that operations at CTIA have not been impacted by the incident and that the airport is operating as normal this morning.”

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