Bomb Hoax Delays 
Dubai-bound Flight

DUBAI - A bomb scare on an Emirates Airlines flight bound for Dubai from Jinnah International Airport in Karachi caused its delay for almost five hours on Sunday afternoon, airline officials confirmed.

By Asma Ali Zain And Lily B. Libo-on

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Published: Tue 13 Jan 2009, 1:40 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 1:35 AM

Emirates Airlines spokesperson said flight EK 601 with the passengers and crew was grounded before takeoff, but after a thorough inspection it was cleared to continue with its journey to Dubai.

“It has been assessed as a hoax, but as a security precaution, security personnel had to inspect the aircraft, so it can resume operations,” said the airline source.

The flight was supposed to depart Karachi at 12.15 pm (11 am local time). Some of the passengers and crew had already boarded at the time of the threat, but were told to immediately evacuate the aircraft. Airline officials confirmed that agents searched the plane and the luggage for a couple of hours, but found no explosives. “Some passengers had already boarded the flight,” said Ejaz Faizi, speaking from Pakistan.

Giving details, Faizi said that airport authorities suddenly asked all those aboard, including the crew to disembark as quickly as they could. He said that the aircraft was taken to a remote parking at the airport behind the passenger terminals to be inspected.

Faizi said that despite the bomb scare, passengers remained calm.

The delay also caused several passengers to miss their connecting flights.

Khurram Khawaja, who was supposed to take a connecting flight from Dubai to Manchester along with three other colleagues, said that passengers were asked to remain calm, but no explanation was given.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

lily@khaleejtimes.com


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