A bomb threat led Wizz Air to evacuate a Rome-bound flight at Larnaca airport on Friday. The airline has now confirmed it is following all established security and safety protocols, philenews understands.
Wizz Air said it was following all established security and protection protocols and was fully cooperating with the relevant local authorities, adding that the safety and security of its passengers, crew and aircraft remained its priority.
Around 190 passengers and their luggage were removed from the aircraft after the threat, which was sent by fax. The message, sent in English, said a bomb inside luggage on the plane would explode within 20 minutes, prompting the immediate activation of airport security protocols.
Passengers are now being rescreened, with the X-ray screening system and a check of the aircraft’s cabin still to come. Once all required procedures are complete, boarding is expected to resume if the threat is found not to be genuine.
The aircraft, due to depart for Rome at 11:10, was not parked at a boarding bridge when passengers and their luggage were taken off; a neighbouring aircraft was moved as a precaution. Police and fire brigade officers, backed by specially trained sniffer dogs, remain at the scene, with a bomb disposal expert expected to arrive.
Transport Minister Evi Tsolaki, speaking to ANT1, said the aircraft will not take off until it has been thoroughly checked. “People shouldn’t worry. The crisis plan is in force. There are protocols and procedures in place, and the threat is being assessed,” she said. She added that the plane will take off once it is established there is no danger.
What police say
Police said in their first statement that they had activated standard protocols and that all relevant services were taking the necessary action, as part of an investigation into information received at Larnaca airport. The threat, police explained, has made it necessary to ground the specific aircraft while it is investigated. Police said the information was being assessed and investigated, and that the relevant procedures were ongoing. Further details would follow once checks were complete, police added.
