Joji Waites, director of flight safety, policy and regulation at the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA), has commented on the recent hoax bomb threats that disrupted many flights. Nearly 30 flights by operators including Aer Lingus, Wizz Air, LOT, Finnair, EasyJet, Iberia, KLM were disrupted, and several airports across Europe were affected.
“Aviation has historically been a target for bomb threats, but the industry has well proved mechanisms for dealing with such threats,” stated Waites.
“When a threat to an aircraft has been notified to the airline, the threat is passed to a team of assessors. These assessors use standard processes to grade the threat and decide whether the threat is Red (credible), Amber (partially credible) or Green (not credible). Amber is not considered an appropriate assessment if the plane is airborne.
“If the threat is assessed as not credible staff on the plane will not be informed of it. However, when a threat is assessed as credible (red or amber) the flight crew will be informed immediately and they will carry out company procedures for a credible bomb threat.
“From the moment the flight crew is notified of a credible bomb threat, the commander of the aircraft – the captain – is in command and will make all the decisions, guided by the appropriate checklist, for the safety of their aircraft. Usually if a plane is still on the tarmac that will mean an evacuation, and if it is in the air the priority will be to land the plane as soon and as safely as possible.
“Pilots are highly trained and skilled professionals. Their expertise is invaluable in ensuring passenger safety, and keeping aviation one of the safest forms of transport there is.”
