Handling an Airport Bomb Threat

Understanding the impact of Airport Bomb Threats

Discover essential strategies for handling an airport bomb threat, learn best practices for staying safe, understanding the role of authorities, and what to do if you encounter suspicious activity.

Even false bomb threats can result in grounded flights, evacuated terminals, and significant economic and operational impacts. Effective security and travel risk management are crucial in mitigating these risks. This blog post will explore essential safety tips for handling such threats, examine real examples, and discuss their impact on airport operations worldwide.

Recent Airport Bomb Threats and Their Effects

Paris-Orly Airport, France
(25th August, 2024)

Around 6pm Paris-Orly Airport authorities received an anonymous call claiming bombs had been placed in the airport’s restrooms, affecting Terminals 2 and 3. Airport staff were quickly alerted and emergency evacuations were conducted in both terminals. This led to traffic disruptions near the airport and the nearby town of Thiais, with official advising travellers to take alternate routes.

Billund Airport, Denmark
(25th April, 2024)

On a busy Saturday morning at Denmark’s second-largest airport, the perpetrator reported a potential bomb threat. Authorities quickly evacuated passengers and suspended all flights. A search operation, found “something physical” which was “likely to contain explosives”, prompting the deployment of munitions disposal officers. The airport reopened in the evening, with several flights cancelled or delayed.

Heathrow Airport, London
(5th March, 2019)

An A4-sized postal bag containing yellow Jiffy bags were found by a member of staff, and caught on fire when opened. Despite the device igniting, it was proved harmless and did not affect the flight schedule of the day.

Recognising the Early Signs of an Airport Bomb Threat

Now that you understand the implications of a bomb threat. Knowing the warning signs can make all the difference in preventing an airport bomb threat from escalating. Learn what to watch out for, with insights from recent airport security events.

What to Do When You Notice a Suspicious or Unattended Item

The Heathrow incident on March 2019 is a reminder that a harmless device has the potential to cause disruption. However, by staying vigilant and following proper procedures, you can minimise the risk to yourself.

Here’s how you can handle a suspicious item based on this event.

Look out for unusual characteristics, like wires, odours, or unusual packaging.
Do not open, touch, or move the package, as it could potentially lead to serious consequences.
Alert the proper authorities as they can help neutralise the situation.
Follow evacuation procedures or move to a safer area, especially if instructed to do so by authorities.
Do not use cellular or mobile or two way radios as they could inadvertently detonate the device.

What to Do If You Overhear or Receive a Threatening Message

If you receive or overhear a message that contains a bomb threat take it seriously and report it immediately to the authorities.

In several 2024 incidents, bomb threats were communicated virtually, such as the incident at Paris-Orly Airport on August 2024. Learn how to report and respond effectively when faced with threatening messages.

Stay Calm and Keep the Caller Talking, ask questions to gather information without sounding confrontational.
Alert the Authorities Immediately, discreetly notify a colleague to call a police and keep your surroundings quietly.
Record and Document the call if possible and take detailed notes on the caller’s voice, background sounds, and exact words.
Handle Text or Digital Threats Carefully. If the threat is via text or message, don’t reply or forward it. Preserve the message and any relevant web log data for the authorities.
Do not hang up, even if the caller does keep the line open and continue recording for the police.

What to Do If You Notice Someone Behaving Suspiciously

Be wary of individuals behaving unusually, such as trespassing into restricted areas, avoiding eye contact, or being uninterested in security arrangements. Suspicious behaviour often signals a potential threat, so it’s important to act promptly but cautiously.

The bomb threat at Billund Airport is a reminder of how critical it is to remain vigilant. In this case, detection of suspicious behaviour led to authorities detaining the perpetrator, avoiding further escalation.

Here’s what you should do if you notice someone behaving suspiciously.

Do Not Confront the Person Directly, as this could escalate the situation. You should observe and report, not intervene.
Take note of the individual’s appearance, remember key details like clothing, body language, or any objects they are carrying.
Report to Airport Security or Authorities Immediately and provide as much detail of the individual as possible.
Observe From a Safe Distance, keep a safe distance while continuing to monitor the person’s actions, if it is safe to do so.

Best Practices for Staying Safe During an Airport Bomb Threat

When faced with the possibility of a bomb threat at an airport, staying calm and following safety protocols can make all the difference. Airports are high-traffic environments, and a swift, coordinated response is key to ensuring the safety of travellers and staff alike. For more detailed strategies, you can explore our article on Essential Travel Risk Management Strategies. Here are some best practices to follow during such a situation:

Prepare Before Travelling

Prepare yourself before travelling by researching the evacuation procedures and paying close attention to airport announcements.

Remain Calm and Alert

Keep a clear head and listen to instructions from airport staff or authorities. Staying calm and composed will help you make better decisions.

The Role of Authorities in Airport Bomb Threat Management

Bomb threats, especially in sensitive environments like airports, require a swift, organised, and multi-faceted response. Authorities play a crucial role in ensuring public safety and minimising disruption in such high-risk situations. Their actions span from the moment the threat is reported to the full restoration of normal operations. Here’s an overview of how authorities manage bomb threats:

Initial Response and
Assessment

When a bomb threat is reported, the first task of authorities; whether it’s airport security, local police, or specialised bomb squads is to assess the credibility of the threat. This step involves:

Gathering critical information from the person who received the threat.
Assessing the location and nature of any suspicious objects.
Consulting threat intelligence databases to determine if the threat matches known patterns.

Coordination with Emergency Services

One of the key roles of authorities is to coordinate with various emergency services. In a bomb threat scenario, this involves a well-coordinated team that includes:

Local police to secure the area and manage crowd control.
Fire departments to prepare for any potential explosions or hazards.
Medical teams to stand by in case of injuries.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, who specialise in handling suspected bombs.

Evacuation and Crowd
Control

If the bomb threat requires an evacuation, authorities are responsible for initiating and overseeing this process. Their duties include:

Evacuation Planning: Authorities follow pre-established evacuation procedures, directing the public away from danger zones while avoiding bottlenecks that could cause confusion or panic.
Crowd Management: Ensuring that the evacuation is orderly and swift is critical. Authorities may use loudspeakers, announcements, and visual cues to guide people.
Minimising Panic: Keeping the public calm during an evacuation is a priority. Clear communication and a visible presence of uniformed personnel help reassure people and prevent unnecessary panic.

Handling and Disposal of Suspected Devices

Once authorities locate a suspicious object, the next step is to assess and, if necessary, dispose of it. This responsibility falls on Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, which are specially trained to handle dangerous devices. Their process involves:

Remote Detection: Using specialised equipment like X-ray machines or robotic tools to assess the contents of the suspicious package from a distance.
Neutralisation or Safe Disposal: If the item is confirmed to be dangerous, EOD teams may use controlled explosions or other methods to neutralise it safely.
Area Sweeps: To ensure that there are no additional threats, authorities often perform thorough sweeps of the surrounding areas, particularly in high-traffic locations like airports.

Contact Us for Comprehensive Travel Risk Management Solutions

Ensure your organisation is prepared for any travel-related emergency. Our experts provide tailored risk assessments, emergency response planning, and real-time support to safeguard your travellers. Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help you manage travel risks effectively and protect your team from potential threats.