An elderly passenger on a FlyArystan flight from Almaty to Aktau was removed from the aircraft after making an ill-considered joke about a bomb. The incident occurred on September 3 on flight FS7177, reports infohub.kz.
According to blogger Aigerim Suleimenova, who posted a video, the elderly man was helping a flight attendant stow a heavy bag in the overhead compartment and jokingly asked, "Is there lead or a bomb in this bag?"
Following this, transport police and aviation security officers conducted a check. The Department of Transport Police stated: "On September 3 of this year, officers of the Transport Police Department at Almaty International Airport, based on a report from FlyArystan, removed a passenger from a flight bound for Aktau after he made a joking remark in Kazakh: 'Is there lead or a bomb in this bag?' Transport police together with aviation security officers promptly conducted an inspection."
No prohibited items or explosives were found. No evacuation was carried out, and the airport continued operating normally. "The offender has been held accountable for petty hooliganism. The case will be sent to court for a final decision," police added.
FlyArystan stated that the airline carried out the measures required by aviation security regulations. "On September 3, 2026, on flight FS7177 operating the Almaty-Aktau route, appropriate measures were taken in accordance with established aviation security procedures, involving relevant authorities and services, in response to a passenger's remark. The safety of passengers and crew is FlyArystan's absolute priority. Any remarks or actions that could be perceived as a potential security threat require mandatory response, regardless of the passenger's intent. This applies to careless remarks or jokes on board an aircraft," the airline said.
FlyArystan also noted that depending on the circumstances, such incidents may require additional checks and the removal of passengers from the aircraft. This, in turn, can lead to flight delays and schedule disruptions. "We urge passengers to comply with aviation security requirements and to be mindful of their words and actions throughout their journey. We remind that knowingly making false reports of security threats is punishable under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan," FlyArystan stated.
According to information posted on social media, the passenger was of retirement age. After the incident, the flight departed approximately two hours late. Transport police also urged citizens to take such remarks seriously and to refrain from jokes related to potential security threats, as they can lead to liability and consequences for both the passenger and others.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that a local fire occurred on a FlyArystan aircraft at Almaty International Airport during scheduled maintenance work. No passengers or crew were on board at the time. The fire was quickly extinguished by airport emergency services. One employee of the Air Astana Group was injured, received medical attention, and was released from the hospital. The aircraft was temporarily taken out of service. The Air Astana Group and airport administration launched an internal investigation, and specialists are assessing the damage and the extent of necessary repairs.