Joking About Bombs, Pelita Air Passengers Arrested At Surabaya Airport

Pelita Air (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - A Pelita Air passenger with the assistance number IP 205 Surabaya-Jakarta route was secured because he joked about carrying a bomb on a flight. The passenger was secured at Juanda Airport, Surabaya.

Corporate Secretary of PT Pelita Air Service Agdya P.P. Yogandari admitted that he had investigated and found the fact that the threat of bombs came from a passenger who was on an IP 205 flight with the name Surya Hadi Wijaya with seat number 14A.

Furthermore, Agdya said the joke was thrown when the plane was running (taxy) to the runway. Pelita Air has also taken action in accordance with established security protocols.

"The security team in collaboration with airport officials conducted a thorough inspection of planes, passengers, baggage and luggage and were declared safe," he told reporters, Wednesday, December 6.

Agdya said that based on Article 344 letter e of Law Number 1 of 2009 concerning Flights, everyone is prohibited from taking illegal actions (acts of unlawful interference) that endanger flight safety and air transportation in the form of conveying false information that endangers flight safety.

Meanwhile, Article 437 of Law Number 1 of 2009 concerning Aviation states that everyone conveys false information that endangers flight safety as referred to in Article 344 letter e shall be sentenced to a maximum imprisonment of 1 (one) year.

"So that the passengers will be processed in accordance with the applicable law. We emphasize that the safety and security of passengers and crew are the main priority for Pelita Air," he said.

Agdya said that currently IP 205 flights are being prepared and are scheduled to return to Jakarta at 18.00. Passengers are currently waiting in the departure room of Juanda Airport, Surabaya.

"To all passengers on the flight, we would like to thank you for the patience and understanding given during the inspection process. We understand that safety and security are very important and we are always committed to providing safe flights," he said.