GEORGE NEWS - A FlySafair flight from OR Tambo to George on Wednesday 22 July was delayed by almost two hours when members of the police and a K9 unit searched the aircraft and reportedly removed a man and some luggage before it was allowed to depart.

According to a George resident, Emmie de Kock, who was a passenger on flight FA252, someone had apparently raised a security concern "about something suspicious" before the police search took place. 

She was seated right at the back of the plane and could not see for herself, but heard from some of the other passengers that the police had removed a man and some luggage from the plane.

De Kock said the passengers were left waiting on board with little information while the police carried out the checks with the dogs, "which they took through the cabin, and they also inspected the loaded luggage. No one was willing to provide any information, and the passengers had to wait anxiously."

After they landed in George, she heard from a fellow passenger that the dogs had been trained to detect explosives.

FlySafair's chief marketing officer, Kirby Gordon, confirmed that a passenger had raised "a possible security concern" as the aircraft was taxiing for departure.

"As a precaution, and in line with procedures, the crew discontinued the departure and returned the aircraft to a secure area, where the South African Police Service and a K9 unit conducted the necessary assessment under established security protocols.

"The aircraft was permitted to continue only once it had been cleared by the relevant authorities."

Gordon said although the delays are regrettable, passenger safety remained the airline's priority throughout the incident. "We thank our crew for their thoroughness in following the required procedure and our customers for their patience through the process."

He did not respond directly to the George Herald's question about whether a passenger and any baggage had been removed from the aircraft before departure.

The newspaper also sent questions to the police regarding the search, but at the time of going to press, no response had been received.

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