Surat: Tension gripped Surat International Airport during peak hours on Thursday evening after a Delhi-bound passenger allegedly issued a bomb threat. The incident occurred around 7.45pm when the passenger told airline staff that he had a bomb.Taking the threat seriously, airline staff alerted the airport director, after which the bomb threat assessment committee (BTAC) was activated. After a preliminary interrogation and baggage check, the passenger was handed over to Dumas police. According to sources, the airport director received the information around 7.50pm, 80 minutes before the scheduled departure of the flight at 9.10pm. As the head of the BTAC, the director alerted committee members, including officials from the Airports Authority of India, the airline, CISF, BCAS, police, fire and health departments. The passenger and his luggage were isolated. While one team conducted a thorough baggage check, another team questioned the passenger and verified his background. “We found nothing objectionable in the passenger’s luggage. Police also reached the airport and investigated his address and background. He told us that he stayed in a hotel. We handed him to Dumas police and let the flight depart at the scheduled time without him,” said an airport official. The flight departed on time without the passenger. BOX: Emergency declared for ONGC helicopter An emergency was declared at Surat airport on Thursday afternoon after an ONGC helicopter sought permission for an emergency landing around 3.15pm following a hydraulic system failure. There were eight ONGC officials on board at the time. After the alert, fire, health and other emergency response teams were deployed near the landing point, and hospital authorities were asked to remain on standby. The pilot safely landed the helicopter at 3.21pm, with all eight occupants safe.
