***** Update – Pacific Blue services now returned to normal*****
*** update at 11:00am local time Sydney, Australia – 18 August, 2006****
Pacific Blue services have now returned to normal.
——————————————————–
Authorites have just announced that they believe that the threat was a hoax, but that investigations will continue.
102 passengers on an international Pacific Blue flight DJ 154, from Nadi, Fiji to Sydney were evacuated from the aircraft this evening at Sydney Airport, after a threat was received against the aircraft, 15 minutes before its arrival in Sydney.
Sydney Airport Corporation spokesman Peter Vickary said. “A Pacific Blue flight from Nadi, Fiji, which landed at approximately 5.45pm (AEST) today has had a threat made against it.” “The aircraft was parked away from the terminal, the passengers were evacuated while NSW police investigated.
Authorities confirmed this evening that no suspicious devices had been found.
The threat against the 737 aircraft was made from the Philippines, while the plane was en route from Fiji.
The east-west runway at Sydney Airport has been closed since the flight landed and is believed to remain closed.
A New South Wales police spokeswoman said authorities investigated reports of a suspicious device on board the plane and have confirmed that, “Emergency services and airport authorities examined an aircraft at Sydney Airport following unconfirmed reports that a suspicious device may be on board.”
They confirmed, “The aircraft arrived at 5.40pm (AEST) today was located away from the terminal area, with all passengers removed from the aircraft, and authorities continuing to investigate the situation.”
Report from John Alwyn-Jones in Australia
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