Two passengers arrested at OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa for making bomb threats

Two passengers were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday on charges of allegedly making bomb threats.

The passengers were detained following separate incidents at the check-in counters of a domestic airline at about 2.30pm and 5pm respectively.

The individuals identified as 38-year-old and a 28-year-old South African citizens, were taken to the airport’s police station and detained. It is alleged they each made a bomb threat while engaging airline staff at the relevant domestic check-in counters.

They will be required to appear in Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court to answer to charges of contravening the SA Civil Aviation Act.

Spokesperson for the airport‚ Leigh Gunkel-Keuler‚ who confirmed the arrest said there was a zero-tolerance approach to bomb threats‚ irrespective of the circumstances.

“We are a National Key Point and adhere to global standards of airport security. There is simply no rationalisation or excuse for making bomb threats.”

Gunkel-Keuler said the intentions or state of mind of those making the threats made no difference from a security point of view as the safety of passengers remained the airport’s number one priority.

“These passengers missed their flights and will now have to face charges. We appreciate that circumstances around reservations‚ flight delays and so on can be stressful‚” she said.

“However‚ there are no conditions under which airport security will tolerate bomb threats from people unable to exercise a modicum of restraint or good judgment.”