A Saudia Airlines flight carrying 376 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims was diverted to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan early Saturday following a bomb threat received by Jakarta air traffic control. The incident marks the second such security scare targeting returning pilgrims in less than a week.
Flight SV5688, en route from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Surabaya via Muscat, Oman, landed safely in Medan at 7:15 a.m. local time. All passengers and 13 crew members were evacuated without injury. North Sumatra police deployed bomb squads to sweep the aircraft while pilgrims awaited clearance at the terminal. Regional airport chief Asri Santosa confirmed operations continued normally during the security checks.
The threat, delivered via phone call to Jakarta controllers, triggered emergency protocols. Authorities have not disclosed threat specifics but confirmed parallels to Tuesday’s incident when another Saudia flight (442 pilgrims) was diverted to Medan after email bomb threats. Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation stated both cases involved "credible threats requiring maximum precaution."
Passengers—mostly elderly residents of East Java—will resume travel to Surabaya Sunday. Religious affairs officials provided accommodations and medical support during the delay. "Our focus is pilgrims’ safety and mental well-being after this traumatic experience," a ministry spokesperson told AFP.
Indonesian transport authorities are coordinating with Saudi and Omani security agencies to investigate the threats’ origins. No group has claimed responsibility, but the repeated targeting of Hajj flights has intensified scrutiny on aviation security. Police spokesperson Ferry Walintukan urged public vigilance, noting, "Such threats exploit religious journeys and demand united condemnation."