Garuda Indonesia Surabaya-Jakarta flight takes off despite false bomb threat

Garuda Indonesia flight GA 311 from Surabaya to Jakarta received a bomb threat this morning. Authorities said the plane flew in spite of the terrorist threat because it did not reach the pilot before he took off.The PT Angkasa Pura I and Garuda ticketing offices in Surabaya received the bomb threat via text message at 10 am. It read:“This is a warning that the Garuda flight from Surabaya-Jakarta will blow up in the air tonight, that is all the information from us, please check every passenger’s luggage and cargo for the passengers’ safety.”

The message was signed off by someone who claims to be Erwin.

When the two offices received the bomb threat, 147 passengers were already on board the plane, which was preparing for take off at Surabaya’s Juanda International Airport. The flight went ahead because takeoff preparations have already begun and the bomb threat did not reach the pilot before take off.

Luckily, the flight went off without a hitch and the plane made a safe landing at Soekarno-Hatta Airport at 11:35 am. No bomb was found on the plane.

“After thorough checks on Surabaya-Jakarta flight GA 311 PK GFN, which landed at 11:35 am, [it was concluded that] there were no dangerous items on board,” said Garuda Indonesia Spokesman Ikhsan Rosan.

Ikhsan said authorities have already apprehended a suspect.

“The mobile phone number was traced, the suspect was confronted but they denied ever sending the terrorizing message,” he said.

Ikhsan added that Garuda Indonesia is tightening security measures in the light of this incident.