Pensioner thrown off plane after flight attendant overheard joke | World | News
A pensioner was removed from a Batik Air flight in Indonesia after joking to a flight attendant that she had a bomb in her bag, sparking a security scare that led to a two-hour delay and a permanent ban from the airline. The incident occurred on April 15 aboard a Batik Air flight preparing to depart Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, bound for Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado, North Sulawesi.
According to airline officials, the elderly woman, seated in 11E, made the offhand comment to a member of the cabin crew during final preparations for departure. The joke, reportedly made in a light-hearted tone, was immediately taken seriously under strict aviation safety protocols.
The flight attendant alerted the pilot and aviation security officers, who initiated a full investigation. The woman was promptly escorted off the aircraft by uniformed staff.
Footage of the incident shows her calmly gathering her belongings and walking down the aisle without protest, while fellow passengers remained seated.
Security officers searched the woman’s belongings and confirmed that no explosives or suspicious items were found. However, the comment was deemed a threat under aviation regulations, and the flight was grounded for an additional two hours as a precaution.
A spokesperson for Batik Air confirmed the incident and announced that the passenger has been permanently blacklisted from flying with the airline.
“A female guest passenger who sat in seat 11E was known to deliver a statement containing a threat element, namely admitting to bringing a bomb to one of the cabin crew,” the spokesperson said.
“No items in the form of bombs were found. Batik Air also set internal sanctions in the form of blocking (blacklist) against the person concerned.”
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has reminded travellers that bomb threats, even if they are made as jokes, are taken very seriously by officials in all airports and on board flights.
“As we prepare for the Holy Week travel rush, please remember: Making bomb jokes or false bomb threats is a criminal offence.
“Help maintain airport security and ensure smooth travel for all passengers. Let us think before we speak. Some “jokes” can have serious consequences,” CAAP said.
