A 30-year-old Australian man was arrested on October 12, 2023, after allegedly making a bomb threat on a Scoot flight bound for Perth. The incident occurred around 4:55 PM, shortly after the flight, which had departed Changi Airport at 4:11 PM, was informed of the threat.

The decision to return to Singapore was made approximately one hour into the flight, with the plane landing safely back at Changi Airport at 6:27 PM. In response to the threat, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) deployed two F-15SG fighter jets to escort the aircraft.

A spokesperson for Scoot stated that emergency services were activated, and the airline is cooperating with authorities in their ongoing investigation. They also expressed apologies for the disruption caused, emphasizing the priority of passenger safety.

The flight carried 363 passengers and a crew of 11, including two pilots. While en route, passengers were initially told of “minor issues,” leading to mixed reactions among those onboard. Many remained calm, with some even taking photos when the fighter jets arrived.

Upon landing, police boarded the aircraft to escort two individuals, one of whom was later arrested for criminal intimidation. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore reported a temporary closure of a runway during the incident, resulting in delays for multiple flights, including one carrying National Development Minister Desmond Lee.

This incident echoes a similar situation from September 28, 2022, when a Singapore Airlines flight was also escorted by military jets following a bomb threat, leading to the arrest of a 37-year-old American man.