A bomb hoax by a passenger delayed Flight FD3002 of Thai AirAsia from Phuket to Don Mueang airport of Bangkok for about two hours Friday morning.
According to the airline's cheif executive officer Tassapon Bijleveld, a passenger checking in at Phuket airport told luggage x-ray staff a bomb was brought along. That prompted the staff of the airport and the airline to perform thorough safety checks.
All passengers on the flight were asked to identify themselves and to show their luggage including loaded one.
The airline resumed the flight after finding no signs of threat. It rejected the problematic passenger and two travel companions. Responsible authorities were considering legal action against him.
The flight carried 141 passengers and six crew members. It was originally set to depart Phuket airport at 8.40am to reach Don Mueang airport at 10apm.
The flight later took off at 10.37am and arrived at Don Mueang at 11.55am.