SINGAPORE, Nov 23 — A bomb threat on a plane arriving in Singapore yesterday has proved to be a false scare.

In a press statement this evening, the Singapore Police Force confirmed that it conducted security checks and “nothing suspicious was found on the plane or its passengers”.

Earlier, Singapore Airlines said there was a bomb threat to Flight SQ001, which originated from San Francisco and arrived at Changi Airport in the afternoon.

One of the passengers told TODAY that after the plane had touched down, around noon, it was held on the tarmac for about 20 minutes, before the captain announced a change in the gate.

Hoe, who declined to give his full name, said: “We were then parked at some remote area near the airport, and no further information was given, apart from waiting for air traffic control instructions.

“At approximately 1.10pm, the captain made the announcement that the plane would be held on the tarmac, and we would be ferried to the terminal by airport bus due to security concerns.

“I thought the captain was handling the situation well. No one was panicking on board. We actually didn’t know anything, and everyone thought it was just a normal delay until the announcement was made at 1.10pm.

“Everyone still remained calm,” said the 33-year-old manager returning from a holiday in San Francisco.

About 30 ground staff assisted passengers and handed out refreshments such as bottled water, Milo and cookies near the arrival gate as well as at the baggage collection area, he recalled.

An SIA spokesperson said that about 267 passengers were affected.

The police said that it takes a “very stern view against anyone who attempts to cause public alarm or fear by spreading hoaxes or false information”. It is investigating into the source of the bomb threat.

Rohan Gunaratna, head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, noted that the post-Paris attacks have had far-reaching repercussions.

“In the high-threat environment, Singapore has stepped up its security measures in the land, aviation and maritime domains after the carnage in Paris,” he said, with the aviation being the most “sensitive domain”.

“Singapore reviews all threats — whether genuine or false seriously … Singapore will not take a chance on matters pertaining to security.

“It assigns the highest priority to protecting Singapore’s interests.” — TODAY