What happens when airlines receive bomb threats?
Summary
Airlines and authorities assess bomb threats and alert pilots when a threat is considered credible. Crews may evacuate an aircraft on the ground or land it as soon and safely as possible, while diversions and inspections can cause major costs and delays.Key Facts
- Threat assessors classify threats as credible, partially credible or not credible, according to a British pilots’ association official.
- If a credible threat targets a plane on the ground, crews may evacuate it; if it is in flight, the captain prioritizes landing as soon and safely as possible.
- European aviation authorities and airlines generally follow guidance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
- Flight crews train for threats, including exercises on searching for explosives that may have been brought aboard.
- Aviation security expert Philip Baum said a diversion caused by a bomb threat or unruly passenger can cost up to $250,000.
- Most flights disrupted by the recent threats were short-haul, which may limit costs tied to overnight delays.
- The article said officials described the recent threats as malicious hoaxes, but the people behind them were not known.
- An analyst said the threats could be intended to disrupt confidence in air travel or test how quickly and consistently authorities in different countries respond.
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