Moscow-bound flight grounded after passenger voices fears

Monrudee Gettuphan, director of Phuket International Airport, denied rumours yesterday that a plane had been hijacked at the airport. 

The captain of Russia’s Nordwind Airlines called the airport office to request an emergency inspection after one of the passengers said he felt threatened for reasons that were unspecified.

Flight NWS2478 was scheduled to depart at 10.35am but was grounded for six hours.

Officials started re-inspecting the aircraft and baggage at 11.20am, she said.

All 369 people were evacuated, but checks found nothing suspicious in the cabin or in the luggage.

Alexander Nozof, 25, who caused the delay, was detained by police for questioning. The captain of the flight did not allow him to board. 

Nozof told police that, while sitting on the aircraft before taking off, he woke up after falling asleep and saw the door closing. He was startled and said he didn’t want to be on the flight, as he did not feel safe. 

Police were considering whether to press charges against him.