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JAKARTA: A Saudia Airlines aircraft reportedly carrying hundreds of Haj pilgrims made an emergency landing at Kualanamu International Airport, North Sumatra on Tuesday (June 17) following a bomb threat, according to local media.
The aircraft, which was on its journey from Jeddah to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, was diverted to Deli Serdang after the pilot received information regarding possible explosives onboard.
"The vessel made an emergency landing due to a bomb threat received by the pilot, who then decided immediately to land,” said North Sumatera Police spokesperson, Commissioner Ferry Walintukan, as quoted by Kompas.com.
The passenger manifest of the Saudia flight SV-5726 that landed at around 10.44am local time has yet to be confirmed. However, local authorities have informed that all passengers have been safely evacuated.
A police bomb disposal team was deployed to conduct an inspection of the aircraft.
Following the incident, Indonesian airport operator PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia (InJourney Airports) activated contingency procedures for handling security threats.
Group Acting Corporate Secretary Anak Agung Ngurah Pranajaya said Kualanamu International Airport was the nearest airport when the aircraft was in Indonesian airspace.
"Our priority at all times is the safety and wellbeing of all passengers and airport users,” he said in a statement. - Bernama
