Home » A Passenger Arrested for Making Bomb Threat Jokes on Pelita Airlines Surabaya-Jakarta Flights

A Passenger Arrested for Making Bomb Threat Jokes on Pelita Airlines Surabaya-Jakarta Flights

Ayu Rizka
15:32, 7 Dec 2023

On 6 December 2023, Pelita Airlines faced flight cancellation due to a breach of flight protocols by passengers onboard. The cancellation stemmed from a bomb threat joke made by a passenger identified as SHW seated in 14A aboard aircraft IP 205 on the Surabaya – Jakarta route at 1.20 pm local time. Agdya Yogandari, Corporate Secretary of Pelita Air, confirmed the incident, noting that the remark was made while the aircraft was taxiing towards the Juanda Airport runway.

The passenger’s bomb joke on the Pelita Airlines flight breached aviation security protocols. Airport security personnel and officials promptly conducted checks to ensure the safety of all passengers, flight crew, and baggage.

Following the all-passenger drop-off, the Pelita Airlines aircraft proceeded to an isolated section of Juanda Airport. @GerryS shared a thread on X detailing this unexpected occurrence, garnering the attention of numerous Indonesian netizens with a readership of 2.9 million.

The thread post mentioned that the Pelita Airlines flight scheduled for departure from Juanda Airport in Surabaya was abruptly redirected to a remote location. Additionally, @GerryS included a flight radar screenshot displaying the aircraft’s U-turn on the runway.

BREAKING: Pelita Air IP205 PKPWD, SUB-CGK, bomb threat prior to take off, aircraft moved to remote area.

Semoga bukan bom beneran! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/i6LS2XEZIf

— Gerry Soejatman (@GerryS) December 6, 2023

Upon learning that the incident stemmed from a passenger’s bomb-related joke, numerous Indonesian netizens expressed strong indignation. According to Indonesian law, such actions can lead to legal consequences under criminal law, prompting significant outrage among the public. As per Article 437 of Law no. 1 of 2009 regarding Aviation:

Paragraph 1: Spreading false information jeopardizing aviation safety can lead to a maximum imprisonment of 1 year.
Paragraph 2: Disseminating false information leading to accidents or property damage may result in imprisonment of up to 8 years.
Paragraph 3: Circulating false information resulting in someone’s death can lead to imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years.

Interested in this topic? Check out our other articles from Social Expat!

Confirmed, Cases of Mysterious Pneumonia Linked to China Outbreak Detected in Jakarta

Content Writer

Yuriz absolutely loves content writing and exploring the nitty-gritty of various topics. It all started by chance, but writing quickly became an essential part of her life! Plus, she is a huge K-pop fan, jamming out to it all day, every day!

See More Articles From Ayu Rizka >>

Viral: Bali Expat Running Community Accused of Discriminating Against Indonesian Participants

A running event organised by a community in Canggu, North Kuta District, Badung Regency, has come under public scrutiny after allegations of discrimination against Indonesian citizens (WNI) circulated widely on social media. The controversy emerged after screenshots of conversations between prospective participants and the organisers were shared online. The screenshots appeared to show that applications […]

Indonesia Eyes K-Pop Concert Tourism Packages to Boost Foreign Visitor Numbers

Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism is looking to tap into the growing popularity of K-Pop by developing concert-based travel packages designed to attract more international visitors while encouraging them to explore destinations beyond the concert venue. The initiative comes as Indonesia continues to strengthen its position as an international events destination, with large-scale concerts increasingly recognised […]

Chinese Tourist Found Dead at 23-Metre Depth After Snorkelling Incident off Kelor Island, Labuan Bajo

A Chinese tourist who went missing while snorkelling in the waters off Kelor Island, Labuan Bajo, was found dead at a depth of 23 metres after a joint search and rescue operation on Wednesday (15 July). The victim was one of two Chinese nationals who died during the incident. The victims were identified as Guo […]

10 Challenges Foreign Investors Face When Setting Up a Business in Indonesia

For foreign entrepreneurs, Indonesia remains one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling growth markets. The opportunity is clear. The process, however, is rarely simple. Between shifting regulations, licensing rules, local expectations, and the practical realities of doing business across a vast archipelago, setting up a company in Indonesia can take more planning than many investors expect. […]