A Newcastle man is scheduled to appear before Downing Centre Local Court today (Wednesday, 24 April 2019) after being charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for making a hoax bomb threat against a flight from Mumbai to Singapore.
On 26 March 2019, the 39-year-old man allegedly called Mumbai International Airport Limited from his NSW home to report a bomb was on board the flight.
The hoax caused significant disruption and delays to airlines and passengers in Singapore and also resulted in the deployment of the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
As a result of extensive liaison between Singapore authorities and the AFP, a 39-year-old Newcastle man was identified as the man who placed the call.
AFP officers located the man at Sydney International Airport where he was arrested and charged with using a carriage service for hoax threat, contrary to section 474.16 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
AFP Airport Police Commander, Superintendent Peter Mullins said any threat to an airline is taken extremely seriously.
“A hoax threat is a serious matter that causes significant repercussions for the airline, airport, responding agencies and members of the public,” said Superintendent Mullins.
“The AFP works closely to ensure the safety of the travelling public at airports is maintained at all times.”
