Bomb threat on Dunedin flight investigated

Email
Print

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 5:30a.m.

Air New Zealand flight 459 landed safely but the plane sat on the tarmac for some time

Air New Zealand flight 459 landed safely but the plane sat on the tarmac for some time

By Anna Burns-Francis

Wellington police are investigating an alleged bomb scare on a flight to Dunedin last night.

Dunedin International Airport was evacuated but the plane landed without incident.

Family and friends arriving at Dunedin airport suddenly found they were not going to be allowed anywhere near the arrivals hall.

Dennis Chan was there to pick up a friend and soon realised planes were sitting on the tarmac.

“My friend just texted to say that they thought there was a bomb threat in Dunedin, so they're just sitting in the aircraft.”

The airport was on high alert after a reported level one BA bomb threat on a flight from wellington.

The terminal was cleared out and the surrounding roads were blocked by a police cordon. Emergency services were also called to the scene.

Air New Zealand flight 459 landed safely but the plane sat on the tarmac for some time before passengers were escorted to the carpark.

The last flight from the airport was cancelled as the planes were grounded for the night.

Wellington police have launched an investigation into the incident but will not say whether anything was found on board.

However they are appealing for any witnesses who may have noticed suspicious behaviour near the women's toilet at Wellington Airport before the flight left.

3 News

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

08 Dec 2011 04:01p.m.

Andy wrote:

I was on the flight (NZ459)- The statement about passengers waiting on the plane for "some time" and then being escorted to the carpark is very inaccurate.

We literally landed, waited about as long as you would usually expect to wait before disembarking. We then (as usual, and with no direction by airport staff/police) headed to the baggage collection point, picked up our bags and headed towards the door. It was then that I realised the airport was probably closed because there were no cars driving around etc.

At no stage was anyone informed (between 8:15 & about 8:45 - when I was there) about what was going on, that the airport was closed, and that it is probably a good idea to be somewhere away from the plane (with "the bomb"??).

It is understandable that the police/airline/airport management didn't want to cause panic - but perhaps some form of communication with those involved would be advisable if a similar set of circumstances were to occur again in the future.

I thought it laughable that 1) If there was genuine concern about a bomb on the plane (well, clearly there was - judging by the police, ambulance, fire brigade presence), that could potentially be in someone's bag that they happily and promptly returned our bags to us. 2) If they were concerned for the passengers' safety then why would they literally leave us to our own devices and not gently suggest that leaving the airport may be a sound idea. Oh, and 3) that there was a row of ambulances lined up pretty close to the runway (would it not be a fair idea for the medical staff to be away from the blast zone?)

When walking away from the airport (on the closed main road - which was a novelty!) the kind police man revealed to me that there was an 'incident' at the airport - how insightful! :) He just looked stoked to be out of harms way.

08 Dec 2011 01:08p.m.

Jagman wrote:

The handling of this incident was appalling. The police have been passing the buck, surely they were responsible for managing the situation. They refused to answer any questions by passengers and milled about looking confused. The only leadership was by the captain of the flight who eventually addressed the assembled bewildered throng.The police locked the area down and then denied responsibility. People missed their flight because of incorrect information given by police. Airline staff were left in the dark, the airport security were completely ineffectual. It was a farce and god help us if we ever have a real incident. I dont like to bag the police but questions must be answered as to why they looked like the Keystone Cops.