Etihad confirms security threat delayed its flight

Etihad Airways has confirmed that security threat delayed its flight to Bangkok on January 12

Abu Dhabi's international airline Etihad Airways late yesterday confirmed a security threat on Tuesday had delayed the departure of an Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok.

In a statement, Etihad Airways’ Chief Operations Officer Richard Hill said: "During boarding of flight EY403, operating Abu Dhabi to Bangkok on Tuesday 12 January, a male passenger made comments threatening the security of the aircraft. Etihad takes security very seriously and a thorough check of the aircraft was implemented, in conjunction with Abu Dhabi police and the airport authorities."

"The aircraft was cleared for departure and left Abu Dhabi just after 3.50 a.m.," he added. "We apologise to passengers for the delay this caused to their flight, but the safety and security of our customers and crew is our highest priority," said Hill. A spokeswoman for Etihad didn't comment when asked about the nationality of the passenger who had allegedly threatened the security of flight EY403. Neither would she say what became of him, post-incident.