SINGAPORE: On Wednesday, the Singapore Police Force SPF was informed of a bomb threat on board Singapore Airlines flight SQ 33, travelling from San Francisco to Singapore.
A passenger reported to have assaulted a cabin crew member, according to a report that he had a bomb in his carry-on bag. He was restrained and the plane was taken to Changi Airport by the Republic of Singapore Air Force RSAF fighter jets.
The threat was confirmed to be false and investigations are ongoing.
Flight SQ 33 takes off from San Francisco at 10.05 pm on Monday, beginning its 16 hour flight to Singapore.
The Airbus A 350 -- 941 that SIA uses on this route has a capacity of 253 passengers.
More than 12 hours after takeoff, the Singapore police are alerted to an alleged bomb threat on board the flight.
An unruly passenger hit a cabin crew member, according to Singapore Airlines.
The 37-year-old passenger was allegedly claiming there was a bomb in a carry-on bag. He is restrained by the crew, said the police.
According to Flightradar 24 data, the plane begins its descent while circling over the South China Sea, making three loops before continuing its route, Flightradar 24 shows. It goes from an altitude of about 40,000 feet 12,192 m to about 10,175 feet 3,101 m The plane circles over Batam Island and climbs to about 1,800 feet 548.64 m before the descent towards Singapore.
The plane lands safely at Changi Airport under the escort of RSAF F 16 C D fighter jets.
The passenger is handed over to the police after arriving at Changi Airport for security checks and the aircraft is taxied to a remote bay.
Teams from the Airport Police Division, Biological, Radiological and Explosive Defence Group and The Singapore Army look into the claims. The threat is verified to be false.
The man is arrested for making false threats of terrorist acts and the suspected consumption of controlled drugs.
After the security checks are completed, the aircraft is towed to Changi Airport Terminal 3.