Two fighter jets were scrambled to intercept and escort a Singapore Airlines flight from San Francisco to Changi Airport after a passenger made a bomb threat and attacked a crew member, officials said.
The “unruly passenger” made the threat aboard Flight SQ33, which took off from San Francisco International Airport at about 10 p.m. local time Monday, Business Insider reported.
“Earlier today, two of our F16C/Ds were activated to escort a Singapore Airlines flight that departed San Francisco for Singapore. This was because of a suspected bomb threat on board the aircraft,” the Singapore Air Force told CNN in a statement Wednesday.
“Our fighters escorted the airliner till it landed safely at Changi Airport,” it added.
Singapore’s Defense Ministry said the “37-year-old male passenger had allegedly claimed that there was a bomb in a hand-carry bag, and had assaulted the crew.”
It added that “teams from (the army’s) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives Defence Group and Airport Police Division were on site to verify the claims.”
No bomb was found on board, officials said.
The airline said the passenger was “restrained on board.”
“The safety of our customers and staff is always our top priority,” the company said, according to CNN. “All passengers and crew have disembarked normally at 9:20 a.m. (Singapore Time).”
“We are assisting the authorities with their investigations and regret that we are unable to provide further details,” it added.
The incident remains under investigation.
