Etihad flight diverted after bomb threat

Etihad flight EY231 from Abu Dhabi to Islamabad yesterday was diverted to Karachi due to a bomb threat note that was found in one of the toilets.

The Airbus A330 with 193 passengers and 14 crew onboard landed safely in Karachi at 12.13pm Abu Dhabi time, where it was met by airport authorities and the passengers disembarked safely and without incident.

After a thorough search of the aircraft by the police, it was cleared for departure. The passengers were to be flown later in the evening from Karachi to Islamabad.

Iain Burns, a spokesman for Etihad, said: "The safety of our customers is of paramount importance and the pilot's thorough training led to his decision to divert the aircraft to Karachi. Thankfully, the note was found to be a hoax after the authorities searched the plane."