Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi announced that a passenger plane belonging to Vistara Airlines from India had to make an emergency landing at Erzurum Airport around 16:30 due to a bomb threat during its Mumbai-Frankfurt flight. After the evacuation of all passengers and crew, bomb disposal teams conducted search and screening operations. Governor Çiftçi stated that all luggage belonging to the passengers was removed from the plane’s cargo hold and underwent thorough screening by X-ray machines and search dogs. By 23:30, all search operations were completed and it was determined that the bomb threat was false. As a result, the flight ban imposed at the airport was lifted, and all incoming and outgoing flights were allowed to resume.
Governor Çiftçi mentioned that the Vistara Airlines passenger plane would continue to remain at the airport, as per international flight rules which allow pilots a certain amount of flying time. He stated that the pilots had completed their designated time and were resting. The passengers were also provided with all necessary amenities at the international terminal of the airport. A new plane from Mumbai, India is scheduled to arrive at 07:25 the next day, and the passengers will continue their journey to Frankfurt with that flight.
The bomb threat and subsequent emergency landing caused a disruption at Erzurum Airport, resulting in the implementation of security measures and the evacuation of passengers and crew. However, after thorough search operations and investigations, it was concluded that the bomb threat was not credible. Hence, the flight ban at the airport was lifted, allowing normal flight operations to resume. The passengers of the Vistara Airlines flight were accommodated at the airport and provided with necessary facilities until a new aircraft arrives to continue their journey.
Governor Çiftçi emphasized the importance of security measures and the swift response of authorities to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The evacuation and search operations were carried out meticulously to ascertain the validity of the bomb threat. Once it was confirmed that there was no actual threat, the airport was declared safe for flights to operate normally. Passengers were reassured of their safety and provided with updates on the situation, as well as arrangements for their continued travel to Frankfurt. The incident serves as a reminder of the vigilance and preparedness required to handle emergency situations in air travel.
The incident involving the false bomb threat and emergency landing of the Vistara Airlines flight highlighted the efficiency of the security and emergency response protocols at Erzurum Airport. Governor Çiftçi commended the professionalism of the bomb disposal teams and security personnel in handling the situation promptly and ensuring the safety of all individuals involved. The resumption of flight operations after the clearance of the airport indicated a successful resolution of the emergency, allowing passengers to continue their journey without further disruptions. The incident will be reviewed to evaluate the response procedures and identify any areas for improvement in future situations.
