A 44-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly making a bomb threat while on a Turkish Airlines flight preparing to take off from Sydney Airport bound for Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
Incident Details
The man, a Montenegrin national, was seated on the plane as it taxied toward the runway when a crew member inquired about an electrical device he was holding. According to police, the man responded that he had a bomb in his possession. The crew member immediately informed the captain, who returned the aircraft to the gate and alerted authorities.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers boarded the plane and arrested the man without incident. Passengers seated near him were relocated as a precaution. The captain later told police the device appeared to be a wireless phone charger.
Charges and Penalties
The man was charged with one count of threatening aviation security, which carries a maximum penalty of $10,500. He is scheduled to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday.
AFP Warning
AFP Detective Superintendent Davina Copelin emphasized the seriousness of such threats. “Any comment suggesting the presence of a bomb or explosive device will be treated seriously,” she said. “What some people may consider a joke can cause significant disruption, trigger emergency responses and divert security resources away from genuine threats. Making a false claim about a bomb is not a prank, it is a criminal matter that can result in prosecution and substantial penalties.”
Copelin added that the AFP will take action against anyone whose behavior compromises airport security, urging passengers to report suspicious activities such as taking photos of security cameras, avoiding screening, or leaving bags unattended.
