The Ministry Of Transportation Ensures The Safety Of Saudi Airline Flights After The Second Bomb Threat

Illustration of Saudia Airline landing at Kualanamu Airport (photo: dock. between)

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (Ditjen Hubud) of the Ministry of Transportation is ensuring the safety and security of 376 passengers of the 33 Surabaya Flying Group (kloter) pilgrims from the threat of bombs.

After previously Saudia Airlines SV 5276 route Jeddah-Jakarta received a bomb threat via electronic mail (email), today, June 21, the same airline again received a bomb threat this time by telephone received by Air Traffic Control Officer (ATC) at the Jakarta Area Control Center (ACC) from Kuala Lumpur ACC, but with a different route, namely the Jeddah-Muscat (Oman)-Surabaya route.

The pilot of the Saudia Airlines SV 5688 then decided to divert the flight route to Kualanamu Airport in Medan after receiving a bomb threat. This decision was taken after coordinating with related parties for early handling.

Head of the Airport Authority Office Region II-Medan Asri Santosa in his report explained that the handling (emergency treatment) was carried out after the Saudia Airlines plane made an emergency landing at Kualanamu Airport.

"After the plane landed at Kualanamu Airport at 09.27 WIB, an emergency treatment was carried out in the form of an examination of all passengers and crew members, then followed by checking the aircraft cabin and cargo comparison (passengers in the trunk)," said Asri Santosa, Saturday, June 21.

Asri added that at 12.55 WIB the inspection of the crew and passengers had been completed and the joint aircraft inspection was continued by the Gegana POLRI Team, the Bomb Disposal Team from the Polda, TNI AD, TNI AU and the airport security officers (Avia Security) as well as the airport Aviation and Fire Accident Rescue Officer (PKP-PK).

Operational flights from and to Kualanamu are not disturbed. Kualanamu Airport continues to operate and handling is carried out in isolation areas so as not to cause obstacles in the movement of other aircraft takeoff and landing," said Asri.

The crew and passengers plan to be flown to Surabaya on Sunday, June 22 at 03.30 WIB on the same plane.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F. Laisa said that his party continues to carry out intensive coordination with all relevant parties.

"Just as the handling of the Saudia Airlines SV 5276 Jeddah-Jakarta route, the flight security emergency measures taken are in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Transportation Number PM 140 of 2015 concerning the Management Program for the Emergency State of National Aviation Security and the Decree of the Director General of Air Transportation Number PR 22 of 2024 concerning Technical Guidelines for the Assessment of Aviation Security Threats," said Lukman.