Passengers should not panic or avoid air travel following a series of bomb threats targeting European airlines, according to the chairman of the Mediterranean Aviation Safety Foundation, Chrysanthos Chatzichrysanthou.
Speaking on Sigma TV’s programme Mesimeri kai Kati, Chatzichrysanthou said aircraft bomb threats were not a new phenomenon, noting that similar incidents had occurred for decades.
“This phenomenon is not new. Certainly, during the decades I worked as an aircraft captain, there were threats on many occasions. A threat can come from anyone,” he said.
He explained that airlines, airports and flight crews follow established procedures whenever they receive a warning about a possible explosive device on board an aircraft.
How airlines assess bomb threats
According to Chatzichrysanthou, airlines initially assess the credibility of each warning before deciding whether to alert the crew.
“They first evaluate whether it is genuine, whether it is misleading or whether it is simply a hoax, which they dismiss from the outset without informing the crew in the air,” he said.
If a threat is considered potentially genuine, pilots are immediately notified and follow the safety procedures for which they receive regular training, including exercises in flight simulators.
If the aircraft is close to an airport able to receive it within a short period, its course may be changed immediately.
“If it is near an airport that can receive it within 30 minutes, its course is changed immediately and it heads towards the new destination to land as quickly as possible,” he explained.
Aircraft are directed to designated areas after landing
Chatzichrysanthou also described the measures taken once an aircraft facing a bomb threat lands.
Airports have designated areas for such incidents, where the aircraft can be parked away from other operations.
“If they know, and they will certainly know, that an aircraft under a bomb threat is coming in to land, they will park it in a remote area already designated under their procedures,” he said.
Passengers urged not to panic
The aviation safety expert urged travellers not to panic or reconsider flying because of the recent incidents.
“Passengers should not panic or have reservations about travelling, because these things are not new phenomena,” he stressed.
He said strict screening procedures were in place for people entering airport areas where aircraft are located, as well as for passengers boarding flights.
Asked whether he could reassure the public that flights within the European Union and internationally remained safe, Chatzichrysanthou said aviation safety standards were now considerably higher than they had been 30 to 40 years ago.
“Lessons from the past have led to measures being introduced to ensure that flights operate safely, particularly regarding the issues we have discussed,” he said.
He added that airlines, airports, pilots and cabin crew all had procedures they were required to follow in such situations.
Pilot recalls bomb threat in London
Chatzichrysanthou also shared an incident from his career as an aircraft captain, when a bomb threat was made against a flight while it was on the ground in London.
He said the threat was reportedly made by a passenger who had been unable to board because the flight was full.
The passenger left and made a phone call claiming that the aircraft contained an explosive device.
Asked whether the incident was an act of revenge, he agreed, explaining that people could make such threats for different reasons.
These could include attempts to cause financial damage to an airline or retaliation after an unsatisfactory experience, he said.
Bomb threats disrupt airline schedules
The incidents can also have significant operational consequences for airlines.
Chatzichrysanthou said forced landings caused delays and disrupted flight schedules, as aircraft had to be diverted from their planned routes.
“This will unfortunately cause delays for the airline operating the particular flight, because the aircraft would have been carrying out another schedule and ended up somewhere else, from where it may take several hours to return,” he said.
Nicosia conference to examine impact of regional conflicts
During the interview, Chatzichrysanthou also discussed an upcoming conference organised by the Mediterranean Aviation Safety Foundation, scheduled for Friday at the Cleopatra Hotel in Nicosia.
The event will bring together the Transport Minister, MEP Costas Mavrides and representatives of the civil aviation authorities of Greece, Malta, Egypt and Israel.
Discussions will focus on how regional conflicts affect civil aviation, including the procedures followed when airspace is closed.
Participants will also examine how airlines resume operations after conflicts end or conditions stabilise, as well as how airports respond to such developments.
Chatzichrysanthou said the conference was expected to conclude with findings and recommendations for airports and civil aviation authorities, with the aim of improving procedures.
Also read: Multiple bomb threats disrupt flights, trigger diversions and emergency landings
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