Singapore F-15SG scrambled after bomb threat on Air India Express flight
Singapore scrambled RSAF jets on 15 October 2024 after a bomb threat was made against an Air India Express flight. The aircraft, escorted by two F-15SG jets, landed safely at Changi Airport. No threats were found following security checks, though similar incidents have disrupted flights from India in recent days.
SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) deployed two F-15SG fighter jets on 15 October 2024 in response to a bomb threat on board an Air India Express flight bound for Singapore.
The incident occurred on flight AXB684, which had taken off from Madurai, India, and was scheduled to land in Singapore at around 8:50pm.
Singapore's Defence Minister, Ng Eng Hen, revealed in a Facebook post that the airline had received an email warning of a bomb on the aircraft. The RSAF scrambled the jets to escort the plane safely away from populated areas.
The aircraft finally touched down at Changi Airport at 10:04pm, over an hour later than scheduled.
Upon landing, the situation was immediately handed over to the Airport Police Division, and security measures were swiftly put in place. Ground-based air defence systems and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team were also activated, according to Dr Ng.
"Many thanks to the dedication and professionalism of our SAF and Home Team that keep us safe in our homes, even when threats exist around us," he said.
In a statement to the media, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed that they were alerted to the bomb threat at approximately 8:25pm.
They reiterated that the plane landed safely under RSAF escort. Following thorough security checks, no suspicious items were found aboard the aircraft.
"The police take security threats seriously and will not hesitate to take action against those who intentionally cause public alarm," the SPF added.
Air India Express and Wider Disruptions
Flight AXB684 is operated by Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India and part of the Tata Group.
According to Flightradar24, the flight had departed from Madurai at 1:54pm and was expected to reach Singapore before the bomb threat disrupted its journey.
This incident was one of several involving bomb threats that affected flights departing from India on both 14 and 15 October. Indian media reported that another Air India Express flight, from Ayodhya to Bengaluru, also faced a hoax bomb threat on the same day.
Security measures were swiftly enacted, with the aircraft and passengers undergoing rescreening in line with standard protocols.
The wider wave of bomb threats targeting Indian flights also impacted low-cost airlines. IndiGo received threats related to two flights originating from Mumbai—one headed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the other to Muscat, Oman. Both incidents took place on 14 October.
In addition, NDTV reported that bomb threats were made against SpiceJet flight SG116 from Darbhanga to Mumbai, and Akasa Air flight QP1373 from Bagdogra to Bengaluru.
Another notable incident involved an Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago, which was forced to make an emergency landing at Iqaluit Airport in Canada due to an online security threat.
In response to the series of threats, Air India noted that it, along with other local airlines, had been the target of multiple hoaxes in recent days. The aviation industry and security forces across India have been on heightened alert due to these recurring incidents.
