Passengers left in dark over security threat on plane at Sydney Airport

Passengers on an Air New Zealand flight detained at Sydney Airport have stated that they were unaware of the security threat until they saw related news reports. The incident is currently under major investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), who are working to determine the source and validity of the threat.

The flight, originating from Wellington and carrying 154 passengers, was isolated at the end of the runway. Passenger Mercury Lin stated, "We were just sitting on the tarmac for an hour," adding that it "seemed odd." The delay caused initial confusion among passengers, who were unaware of the unfolding situation.

Some passengers told Radio New Zealand that there was a bomb threat, which was corroborated by the scene outside the windows. Pauline Crown said, "We weren't frightened, it was the ambulances and police outside, that was the unnerving part." The presence of emergency services heightened the sense of concern among those on board.

Dozens of ambulances and fire trucks arrived at the scene, and heavily armed tactical police took up strategic positions. There were no announcements made inside the cabin to explain the situation. Some passengers, using their mobile phones to watch live news coverage, discovered they were at the center of a security scare. After an hour, the aircraft was moved closer to the terminal, allowing for further investigation.

When passengers were finally allowed to disembark, their carry-on luggage was carefully inspected by police dogs. While the situation had all the hallmarks of a bomb threat, the Federal Police only stated that they conducted a thorough search of the aircraft, luggage, and passengers, finding nothing suspicious. Air New Zealand apologized for the inconvenience caused, adding that the safety of passengers and crew was its "top priority," and they are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.