Three Planes Isolated As Police Search For Explosives

A bomb threat at a South African airport resulted in little more than frayed nerves Wednesday morning, when three South African Airways planes on the ramp at Johannesburg International Airport were searched after police received word that there were bombs onboard the airliners.

"Information was received from the police around 11.50am (Wednesday) to the effect that there were bomb warnings on three SAA aircraft," said Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) spokesman Solomon Makgale. "Two planes were from Durban International to Johannesburg International, whilst the third plane was from Johannesburg International to Durban International."

Local media reports stated emergency procedures were immediately activated at the airport, and fire and rescue crews quickly moved the planes to an isolated area of the airport so police could conduct a search.

Two of the airliners had already landed when police received the tip, and the third was due to land within five minutes... which caused some tense moments for the passengers onboard, according to Makgale.

After all the commotion, however, things soon returned to normal at the airport.

"All three aircraft have been cleared and no bombs were found," Makgale said, adding the incident "had no impact on airport operations."

ACSA operates South Africa's ten principal airports, including the three major international airports at Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

FMI: www.acsa.co.za, www.flysaa.com