A Vietnamese passenger has been fined after making a highly inappropriate joke about carrying a bomb while disembarking a Malaysia Airlines flight. The incident occurred on 22 June 2025, during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi. Upon landing, the man triggered an emergency response at Nội Bài International Airport, resulting in his detention and subsequent punishment.
The passenger, identified only as N.C.H, made the alarming remark while exiting the aircraft. When a flight attendant asked him about a black box he was carrying, he reportedly responded with a single word: “Bomb.” This response immediately set off security protocols.
Authorities treated the comment with utmost seriousness, especially given the sensitive nature of aviation security. Airport police, aviation security, immigration officers, emergency response teams, and airline representatives were all activated within moments of the remark being reported.
No Threat Found But Emergency Response Triggered
Once the passenger was detained and his belongings thoroughly inspected, it was revealed that the suspicious black box contained nothing more than a computer keyboard and mouse. There were no dangerous or explosive items present. The man later claimed that his comment was a joke made in poor taste, due to “lack of knowledge” about the seriousness of such remarks.
He was ultimately fined VNĐ4 million—approximately S$195—under Vietnamese civil aviation regulations for causing public alarm. Airport authorities have stressed that jokes involving bombs, weapons, or acts of terrorism are strictly prohibited and will always prompt immediate intervention.
A representative from Nội Bài Airport noted that the situation could have been far more disruptive had the joke been made before take-off. In that case, the flight might have been delayed, and all passengers would likely have undergone re-screening procedures, severely impacting the airline’s operations.
Similar Case in Singapore Ends with Arrest and Court Charges
This incident mirrors a similar case in Singapore earlier this year. In February 2025, a 22-year-old male passenger was arrested at Changi Airport after posting a bomb threat on social media before his flight to Abu Dhabi. The Singaporean authorities treated it as a criminal offence, and the individual faced charges that could result in a fine of up to S$50,000, seven years’ imprisonment, or both.
The key takeaway from both incidents is clear: air travel security protocols leave no room for jokes or ambiguity. Any mention of explosive devices or threats—regardless of context—will be met with swift and serious consequences.