International flights diverted over bomb threats, no explosives found

SINGAPORE/ OTTAWA: Two flights, one from New York to Istanbul and another origination from San Francisco, were diverted Sunday because of bomb threats.

Both flights landed safely at alternate destinations.

Singapore Airlines flight SQ001, which originated from San Francisco, landed safely at Singapore’s Changi Airport on Sunday after a potential “bomb threat”.

The airline, in a statement, did not provide any details of how the threat came to light or what action was taken to ensure the flight’s safety. It said the matter had been referred to the authorities.

The incident came as a Turkish Airlines flight bound for Turkey from New York was also diverted to Halifax, Canada, after a bomb threat, Canadian police said.

No bomb was found, however, during an exhaustive search of the aircraft and the passengers’ luggage. The plane was given the all-clear early Sunday to continue its journey, said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

“The investigation into the threat is ongoing,” the RCMP said on Twitter.

Authorities received the threat late Saturday at 0250 GMT after the plane had departed John F Kennedy International Airport.

The bomb threat comes with aviation officials on high alert for possible acts of terror following the November 13 attacks.