Kochi: The Kochi airport came to a standstill after an anonymous bomb threat was issued. As per reports, it was claimed that a bomb had been planted in a Bengaluru-bound Indigo flight that was scheduled for take-off at 10.30 am.
An official statement from CIAL (Cochin International Airport Limited) stated that a bomb threat call was received at the airport CISF control room specific to Indigo 6E6482 bound for Bengaluru.
"The aircraft, which was already pushed back for scheduled departure of 10.30 am, was brought back to the stand. Subsequently, the aircraft was shifted to the isolation parking bay. As per protocol, the bomb threat assessment committee convened, and interventions as per established procedure were carried out," according to the release.
-sqimage.jpg.transform/170x160/image.jpg "Mumbai flight delayed due to hoax bomb threat at Nedumbassery, woman in custody")
The pilots, who were preparing for take-off, were alerted to abort the trip, following which the passengers and their luggage were offloaded.
"All passengers (138 + 1 infant) were offloaded and shifted to the security hold area. Simultaneously, re-screening of baggage started, which was completed at 1 pm," according to CIAL.
The bomb squad and police conducted a joint investigation and a thorough search inside the flight. Officials later confirmed that the bomb threat was a hoax.
"Nothing suspicious was found. The police have registered a case and started an investigation to trace the origin of the internet call," as per the statement released by CIAL.
Delayed by almost three hours, the Indigo flight left for Bengaluru by afternoon.
