Pilots lash out over handling of bomb scare

IRISH pilots are demanding an explanation from the British authorities about why passengers on an Aer Arann flight were left on a plane in Scotland for an hour during a bomb scare.

An Aer Arann plane from Luton to Galway was diverted to Prestwick, Scotland, after a passenger spotted the word “bomb” and a picture of an arrow scrawled on a seat table during the flight.

When the plane landed, Scottish police ordered the 49 passengers to remain on board while the authorities dealt with the alert.

The passengers were eventually allowed off the plane and were interviewed, searched and photographed by detectives. No device was found.

But the decision to leave passengers on board during the Good Friday flight was last night criticised by the Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA).

IALPA’s Captain Michael McLaughlin said: “Once the plane is on the ground it seems illogical not to evacuate it immediately.

“If there was a bomb warning at a hotel it would be a surprise if the police ordered that no one was to leave. I’m perplexed and want to know what the rationale behind this is. The sensible thing to do is land and get the people off as soon as possible.”

He said the association, which represents the interests of 1,000 pilots, would now be demanding an explanation from the British authorities.

The association is to write to Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority, which is responsible for safety in the air, as well as the Government department responsible for aviation.

Passengers, who arrived in Galway on Saturday after being put up in a hotel for the night, condemned the “irresponsible” hoaxer and said there was a feeling of frustration rather than fear on the plane.

Passenger Jim Bown, aged 61, who was travelling with his family for a relative’s 60th birthday celebrations, said: “Some people might be smiling having seen the news, but it’s just sick,” he said. “There’s no reason to put people through that kind of situation. It is stressful because you never quite know for certain.”

The Aer Arann scare came two days after 170 passengers and crew on a Paris to Dublin Ryanair flight were diverted to Prestwick airport when a note warning of a bomb on board was found in an in-flight magazine.

IALPA is also investigating why passengers on the Ryanair flight were kept on board for two hours.

Mr McLaughlin said: “When we heard about [the Ryanair passengers being kept on board] we were concerned and thought it was a one-off, but it has happened twice now. We will be doing everything possible to establish what happened and get as much information as we can.

“We will be seeking to establish from [Britain’s] Civil Aviation Authority and the various security agencies what the policies and procedures are should such an incident happen again.”

Prestwick Airport chief executive Mark Rodwell said: “In situations like this the airport follows pre-determined procedures, which allow us to work alongside the police and emergency services to ensure the safety and well-being of the people involved, which is always our number one priority.”