‘Cancel take-off, cancel take-off, we have information about a bomb threat’: Full audio of chilling moment BA pilot is warned of possible explosives just before departure from Bermuda to London
Chilling sounds have emerged of the moment a British Airways captain was told to cancel take-off due to a bomb threat that forced passengers on board the flight from Bermuda to Britain to evacuate on Sunday.
The flight was scheduled to leave the Atlantic island on Sunday evening to return to London, but air traffic controllers frantically radioed the pilots just before takeoff.
“Cancel take-off clearance, cancel take-off clearance… We have received information about a bomb threat,” the controller said.
“Okay, cancel takeoff clearance…do you want us to leave the runway?” the captain responded, before hurriedly asking for more information.
After several moments of silence, the controller orders the pilots to hold their position while traffic to the airport was closed, before police officers and a security team were deployed to search the plane and the airport.
Passengers, meanwhile, were rushed off the flight while teams searched the aircraft and grounds.
The BA flight, which was scheduled to depart for London the evening before at 8:50 p.m., had to be evacuated immediately (File image)
The flight was eventually cleared to depart and regular traffic flow to and from the airport was restored by 11 p.m.
A Bermuda Police spokesperson explained the security operation, saying officers were sent to close the Causeway and Kindley Field Road outside the airport while the airport building and its surroundings were searched by airport security.
“Police were notified by LF Wade International Airport staff of a bomb threat received via email,” he said.
“The staff also advised that emergency landing protocols had been established at the airport.”
He added: “Once the nod was given and the airport was declared safe, regular traffic flow was restored.
“We would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation during this emergency road closure.”
Passengers were reportedly all safe and well and the facility was later declared ‘safe’.
A British Airways spokeswoman added: ‘The safety of our customers and colleagues is always our top priority and we followed our standard procedures for disembarking the aircraft.
“Our teams are looking after our customers and supporting the crew as we work to get them on their way as quickly as possible.”