A major scare unfolded at Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) on Sunday, May 5th, when a British Airways Boeing 777-200ER was forced to abandon its takeoff due to a bomb threat.
The incident occurred shortly before 9:30 PM local time, as the aircraft, registered as G-VIIN, was already on the runway preparing for departure to London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Following the threat, authorities initiated emergency protocols, leading to the evacuation of all passengers on board.
Bermuda Police Service confirmed the incident through a Facebook post, stating that the situation was ongoing and passengers were safely disembarked. Videos circulating on social media showed passengers gathered near the grounded aircraft, with a Royal Air Force (RAF) Boeing C-17 Globemaster III also present at the scene.
Flightradar24 data revealed that the aircraft had to turn away from the runway and come to a stop. The flight, originally scheduled to depart Bermuda at 8:50 PM local time (UTC -3), was ultimately cancelled.
Authorities closed both the Causeway and Kindley Field Road near the airport to facilitate a thorough security sweep. Thankfully, the Bermuda Police Service later declared the airport safe, and normal traffic flow resumed around 11 PM.
While the nature of the bomb threat and the individual responsible remain unknown, British Airways has confirmed that the safety of their passengers and crew remains their top priority, and they are working to re-accommodate those affected by the disruption.
Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’
You might also like:
- Qatar Airways vs. Airbus: The Ongoing Dispute over A350 Paint Issues
- History of planespotting
- Breaking: Two Yak-52 Planes Collided Mid-air During Beja Air Show in Portugal
- Flight Review: Avianca Long-Haul Boeing 787-8 from Bogota El Dorado to London Heathrow
- How Long Can Commercial Aircraft Last?
Discover more from Aviation for Aviators
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.