Singapore scrambles fighter jets to escort Air India Express plane after bomb threat

Singapore on Tuesday scrambled fighter jets to escort an Air India Express plane after an email warning about a possible bomb on board, the city-state’s defense minister said.

“Air India Express received an email that there was a bomb on board flight AXB684 that was bound for Singapore,” Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said in a Facebook post.

For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

He said two air force F-15 jets were deployed to escort the jet “away from populated areas” before it landed safely at Changi Airport in the late evening.

“Our Ground Based Air Defense systems and Explosive Ordnance Disposal team were also activated. Once on the ground, the plane was handed to the airport police,” Ng added.

Investigations are underway, he said.

Air India Express is a budget subsidiary of Indian flag carrier Air India.

Read more:

Bomb threat on Indian flight forced to land in Turkey was false: Local governor

Singapore’s disgraced former transport minister jailed for 12 months in landmark case

Air India says cabin crew end strike that led to numerous flight disruptions