British Airways flight cancels takeoff on runway after bomb threat

A British Airways jet set to fly to the United Kingdom aborted take-off on the runway at the last minute after a threat was received. The drama unfolded on the Boeing 777-200ER service from Bermuda to London Heathrow on Sunday evening.

Airport bosses confirmed they had been sent a bomb warning. The captain rattled off 7700 – the air traffic code for an emergency – as air traffic control canceled the plane’s final takeoff clearance.

A spokesperson for Bermuda Airport said: “Just before 9.30pm on Sunday 5 May 2024, police were notified by staff at LF Wade International Airport of a bomb threat that had been received via email.

“Staff also advised that emergency landing protocols were initiated at the airport.” Flight BA158 was abandoned with passengers carried out onto the tarmac as police and anti-terror officers combed the plane.

The plane was seconds away from departing for Heathrow Airport on Sunday evening when airport authorities in Bermuda received an email warning that the specific BA flight had been targeted. Authorities in Bermuda have closed roads within a six-mile perimeter of the international airport.

According to the Sun, due to a sailing event in the area, there were no hotel rooms available, meaning they slept on the airport floors before flying home on Monday. British Airways said: “The safety of our customers and colleagues is always our highest priority and we followed our standard procedures for debarking the aircraft. Our teams are looking after our customers and supporting the crew as we work to get them on the road as soon as possible.”