Iranian Plane Threat Temporarily Halts Hamburg Airport Flights

A person with luggage stands in an airport hall, as airport workers protest at BER airport during a strike called by German trade union Verdi, in Berlin, Germany, March 13, 2023.
A person with luggage stands in an airport hall, as airport workers protest at BER airport during a strike called by German trade union Verdi, in Berlin, Germany, March 13, 2023.

Flights to and from Hamburg Airport were temporarily halted following a security threat directed at an incoming plane from Iran.

According to officials, the suspension lasted approximately 90 minutes on Monday. Takeoffs and landings at the airport ceased at 12:40 p.m. (1040 GMT), with some incoming flights being rerouted to Hanover and other locations, as reported by the German news agency.

Operations eventually resumed, although the airport cautioned passengers about possible delays on its website.

The incident unraveled after the federal police were sent an email threat. All 198 passengers and 16 crew members underwent security screening, and a thorough inspection of the aircraft and its cargo was conducted.

The German air force announced on its social media platform X that it provided an escort to the aircraft upon its entry into German airspace to the east of Berlin, in response to a bomb threat.

The incident occurred in the context of heightened tensions in the region, as the Palestinian militant organization Hamas recently initiated hostilities with Israel. There have been allegations suggesting Iranian involvement in supporting Hamas's actions.

The US secretary of state Antony Blinken has so far said there is no evidence to prove Iran's involvement, while on Monday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said only that the question would be addressed in due course.