Zhejiang bound flights threatened with terrorist attack

By Winny Wang and Li Xinran  |   2008-11-20  |     ONLINE EDITION

FLIGHTS from Beijing to cities in Zhejiang Province faced the threat of a terrorist attack this morning, according to Air China.

A public security bureau in the capital received an anonymous phone call about 9:32am. The caller said flights from Beijing to Zhejiang may be attacked, said Zhu Mei, an official from Air China’s publicity department.

Air China flight CA1595 from Beijing to Hangzhou City, capital of Zhejiang Province, was ordered to return to the capital and landed about 10am, 40 minutes after its departure, according to Zhu.

The plane was evacuated safely and given a thorough security check. All passengers and their luggage had to pass security checks.

Meanwhile, another flight stopped the boarding process shortly after the warning call was made. Flight CA1813 from Beijing to Wenzhou City in Zhejiang launched a second round of security checks, which uncovered no problems. Passengers were permitted to board at 12:21pm and the plane took off at 1:07pm, Zhu said.