Summary
- A SAPS Bomb Squad responded to a security threat on FlySafair Flight 102 at Cape Town Airport.
- Passengers were forced to disembark the aircraft, which was later declared safe.
- ACSA and SAPS collaborated to ensure safety amidst a potentially dangerous situation.
On Thursday, June 6, two passengers were arrested at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) following a security threat on a FlySafair flight. The South African Police Service (SAPS) Bomb Squad was deployed at the airport to manage the situation. The passengers and crew were forced to disembark as the Bomb Squad conducted a thorough sweep of the aircraft.
FlySafair Flight 102 security threat
The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA), which owns and operates the country’s nine principal airports, confirmed that the Bomb Squad was deployed to Cape Town International on Thursday evening. SAPS and relevant law enforcement agencies were managing the security threat, with the airport and airline management also rushing to the scene to ensure compliance with all required aviation safety and security protocols.
The crew of FlySafair Flight FA102, scheduled to depart for Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (JNB), was alerted to a possible security threat. Flightradar24 shows that Flight 102 was scheduled to depart Cape Town at 17:25 and arrive in Johannesburg at 19:30 local time. However, the flight was delayed for over five hours. The aircraft operating the flight was a 21-year-old Boeing 737-800, registration ZS-SJR.
Photo: FlySafair
According to ACSA, the incident was triggered by comments from two passengers onboard Flight 102. This isolated incident was specific to the FlySafair aircraft, which has since been declared safe by SAPS. The two suspects were arrested, with the issue currently being handled by SAPS. FlySafair could not provide any further comments on the matter.
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Operations at Cape Town Airport continue normally
As of June 7, operations at Cape Town Airport are continuing normally following last night’s security threat. Affected passengers were rebooked onto another flight and made it to their destination safely. Flightradar24 shows that FlySafair Flight 102 eventually departed Cape Town at 22:44, arriving in Johannesburg at 00:25.
Several measures were taken to ensure the safety and security of all involved. As seen above, Wortan, a certified South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) detection dog, was also at the scene to ensure the flight’s safety. Speaking about the security threat, ACSA Regional General Manager Cluster 2 Mark Maclean said,
“We would like to praise SAPS and AVSEC (Aviation Security) again for their combined efforts in upholding the safety and security of passengers and cabin crew. The safety and security of passengers and crew are of utmost importance.”
Photo: FlySafair
Maclean added that the successful mitigation of the threat highlights the importance of good incident management, collaboration, and security assurance and why they are never compromised by airport and airline management. While there aren’t many details about the two passengers’ comments, the incident serves as a reminder that dangerous or reckless comments at an airport can land you in serious trouble.
Drug bust at Cape Town airport
In a separate incident on June 6, a 70-year-old alleged drug mule was arrested at Cape Town International Airport after he was found in possession of $32,000 (R600,000) worth of drugs. SAPS’ Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, received information regarding a foreign national who is an alleged drug mule attempting to leave the country.
Photo: Grant Duncan-Smith | Shutterstock
Upon spotting and searching the suspect, the Hawks found packets of crystal methamphetamine (tik) of up to 9 lb (4.1 kg) in a hidden compartment in his luggage. According to Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi, the suspect will appear at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Monday, June 10.
What do you think of this story? Have you ever witnessed a security threat at an airport? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!