Emergency at BIA called off after another bomb scare on Vistara flight

The emergency declared at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake following another bomb scare on a Vistara flight has been called off, according to the airport management.

Flight operations at the BIA are continuing as usual without any disruption to the airport’s normal operations, says Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (AASL).

The management of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) declared a full emergency in response to another reported bomb scare on a Vistara flight from Mumbai to Colombo, which was scheduled to arrive at BIA at 15:15 hrs today (October 24). 

A nonspecific call on a bomb threat had been reported to the flight before landing at BIA. Accordingly, the security agencies and relevant authorities adopted all precautionary and preventive measures in line with the protocol, AASL said in a statement.

The flight with 107 passengers, one infant, and 8 crew onboard landed safely at the airport at 14:55 hrs. All passengers were swiftly evacuated from the aircraft to the passenger terminal building, and the safety of all passengers was assured, it said.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL), together with all other authorities responsible for security, followed the standard protocols established for such incidents and ensured the safety and security of all passengers and crew.

“We hereby inform our valued passengers and airport users that flight operations at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) continue as usual without any disruption to the airport’s normal operations.” 

“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this situation may have caused to our valued guests and airport users and appreciate their understanding,” the statement added.