Malaysia Airlines passenger fined for making bomb joke

MALAYSIA AIRLINES BOEING 737-8HS 9M-MXY (MSN 40162)

A Vietnamese man was fined VND 6 million (RM970) for making bomb joke to Malaysia Airlines staff at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, equivalent to $351 Australian.

The incident occurred when the passenger disembarked from Malaysia Airlines flight MH752 from Kuala Lumpur on the 22nd of June. When a flight attendant asked about the black case he was carrying, the man responded with a single word: “Bomb.”

The remark immediately triggered the airport’s full security protocol.

The passenger was escorted off the aircraft and detained for questioning by multiple agencies, including immigration police, aviation security, airport police, emergency command centre officers, Malaysia Airlines representatives, and Vietnam Airport Ground Services staff.

A thorough inspection of the passenger’s luggage and person was conducted – the black case in question was found to contain a computer keyboard and mouse but no traces of a bomb.

The passenger later acknowledged that his comment was an ill-conceived joke made out of ignorance, issued an apology to the authorities and was subsequently fined. Following the incident, Noi Bai International Airport released a public statement on Facebook, emphasising that jokes about bombs, explosives, or weapons are strictly prohibited in airports and on aircraft.

The airport noted that such remarks trigger emergency response measures, can cause fear and panic among passengers, and result in unnecessary delays. Officials urged passengers to cooperate with aviation staff during inspections and to educate family members, particularly children, about avoiding jokes related to sensitive security topics.

“Anyone who violates these rules will be held fully accountable for the consequences,” the airport stated.

Security protocols at international airports are taken seriously, with even seemingly harmless jokes carrying significant consequences.