An EasyJet flight was interrupted after some teens posted a fake bomb threat on social media. Because of this, authorities were forced to intercept the commercial flight using a Spanish fighter jet.
(Photo : Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
An easyjet plane takes off carrying Kate and Gerry McCann the parents of missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann from Faro airport back to England on September 9, 2007 in Faro, Portugual. The McCanns have been made formal suspects in the disappearance of their four-year-old daughter Madeleine.
Bomb threats are not really uncommon in the airline industry. Even if flight companies are not sure if the bomb threat is real or fake, they will still take the problem very seriously.
This was seen in the action made by EasyJet to ensure that its passengers can safely land. The fake bomb threat happened on Sunday, July 3.
EasyJet Flight Interrupted by Fake Bomb Threat
According to Gizmodo's latest report, the affected flight was the EasyJet EZY8303, which was supposed to bring its passengers from London, Gatwick, to Menorca, Spain.
(Photo : Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)
An EasyJet plane is pictured at Faro airport in Algarve, south of Portugal, on June 15, 2021. - British airline EasyJet inaugurated a new base in Faro, in southern Portugal, shortly after the opening of another in Malaga, in southern Spain, betting on the resumption of tourism.
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However, Spain's Civil Guard police said they spotted a bomb threat on social media. Because of this, authorities quickly took action.
They sent a Spanish fighter jet to escort the commercial A-319 aircraft of EasyJet safely to its destination. To notify the flight's pilots regarding the threat, the fighter jet was seen waggling its wings.
This is a gesture in aviation indicating that the other pilot must follow the defense aircraft. Of course, passengers were confused.
One of them even asked if the fighter jet was just showing off.
"EasyJet can confirm flight EZY8303 from London Gatwick to Menorca on 3 July was escorted by military aircraft while landing in Menorca and delayed disembarking due to precautionary security checks," said the airline's spokesperson, Paula Peralta.
Teens Behind EasyJet Bomb Threat are Arrested
Reuters reported that an 18-year-old British national was behind the fake bomb threat. After the affected EasyJet flight successfully landed in Spain, the teen and his five friends were arrested.
As of press time, the Spanish Civil Guard hasn't made any statement regarding the perpetrators' court hearings. This scenario can be very frustrating for many airplane passengers.
If ever you experience a fake or an actual bomb threat during your flight, you must follow the procedures provided by CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency):
- Remain calm.
- Notify your facility supervisors, such as a manager, operator, or administrator, or follow your facility's standard operating procedure.
- Follow authorities' instructions.
- Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Be polite and show interest to keep them talking.
In 2019, a Spirit Airlines passenger was seen lighting his cigarette during a flight.
In 2018, experts claimed that an airplane window seat is the best place to avoid flu.
For more news updates about EasyJet and other airline companies, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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Written by: Griffin Davis
