Man to Be Charged Over Bomb Threat Made Onboard Changi Airport Flight
A 22-year-old man will be charged in Singapore after allegedly posting a bomb threat on social media while onboard a flight preparing to depart from Changi Airport. The February incident forced the aircraft to return to the terminal, though no explosives were found.
- A 22-year-old man will be charged on 5 June for allegedly making a bomb threat onboard a Changi Airport flight.
- He posted on social media: “no one here knows I’m going to blow the plane up.”
- The Abu Dhabi-bound aircraft was recalled to Terminal 2; the suspect was arrested onboard.
- No explosives were found, and the man had no means to carry out the threat.
- He faces up to seven years in jail and a S$50,000 fine if convicted.
- SPF stresses zero tolerance for false threats, citing wasted public resources.
- A similar case in October 2024 saw RSAF jets escort a flight to Changi after a bomb scare.
A 22-year-old man will face charges in Singapore on 5 June after allegedly making a bomb threat while onboard a plane at Changi Airport earlier this year.
According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), officers were alerted at around 7.20pm on 14 February to a social media post threatening to blow up an aircraft. The post, which was made shortly before takeoff, reportedly read: “no one here knows I’m going to blow the plane up.”
Investigators from the Airport Police Division identified the suspect within an hour. At the time, the aircraft was taxiing on the runway for departure to Abu Dhabi but was recalled to Changi Airport Terminal 2.
The man was arrested onboard the flight. Police later confirmed that no dangerous items were found in his possession and that he had no actual means to carry out the threat.
Facing up to 7 years in jail
The suspect will be charged under Section 268A of the Penal Code for communicating false information about a harmful thing.
If convicted, he faces up to seven years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$50,000, or both.
When contacted by state broadcaster CNA, police declined to reveal the man’s nationality.
Police stress zero tolerance
The SPF stressed that all threats related to aviation are treated with utmost seriousness.
Assistant Commissioner of Police M Malathi, Commander of the Airport Police Division, said the safety of passengers and staff remains the top priority.
“Beyond fear and inconvenience caused, the making of false threats, especially relating to airport and airline operations, involves significant public resources that have to be deployed to deal with the incident,” she said.
“All security threats will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible will be tracked down and prosecuted.”
Not the first incident
This is not the first time Singapore authorities have responded to a bomb threat at Changi Airport.
In October 2024, two Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15SG fighter jets were scrambled after a bomb threat was made against an incoming Air India Express flight. The aircraft was escorted safely to Changi Airport, where no explosives were discovered.
That incident was one of several threats targeting flights departing from India on 14 and 15 October 2024.
