Malaysia Airlines passenger fined for bomb joke at Hanoi airport

The drama unfolded on June 22 after flight MH752 arrived from Kuala Lumpur at Noi Bai International Airport. As passengers filed off the plane, a flight attendant asked a male passenger about a black box he was carrying. His reply was: "A bomb."

Crew members swiftly alerted authorities. The man was detained by Noi Bai’s immigration police and questioned. He later admitted the comment was a joke.

Security teams launched a full search of the passenger and his luggage. The black box was found to contain only a computer keyboard and mouse. No explosives or banned items were discovered.

Despite no actual threat, the Northern Airports Authority fined the passenger VND4 million ($153) for causing public alarm.

Airport officials said the situation could have been far more disruptive had the remark been made before takeoff. If it happened at boarding, security checks would have been suspended, delaying the flight and disrupting terminal operations, an emergency operations officer said.