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Think twice before making a bomb joke on a flight in Türkiye.
A passenger has been sentenced to more than four years in prison after a bomb prank on a domestic flight in Türkiye triggered a full security response and delayed the flight.
The incident took place on Feb. 9, 2026, on an AJet flight preparing to depart from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Sanliurfa in southeastern Türkiye.
According to details from the case, the incident began with a conversation between two sisters on board the aircraft.
One of the passengers reportedly pointed to her sister and told a cabin crew member, “This is a live bomb, do not let her on the plane.”
The statement immediately activated aviation security protocols. Passengers were evacuated from the aircraft, and security teams carried out a full search for explosives. Authorities later confirmed that no threat was found.
The response caused the flight to be delayed by approximately three hours. During that time, passengers remained off the aircraft while checks were completed, and the disruption affected all travelers on board.
The two sisters were taken into custody following the incident. In their statements, they said the remark was intended as a joke and confirmed that they were not carrying any explosives. They were later released under judicial control but were banned from flying by the airline for one year.
The case moved forward as a public prosecution, as the offense does not require a formal complaint under Turkish law.
Prosecutors charged the defendant under Article 223 of the Turkish Penal Code, which covers acts that prevent the operation of a transportation vehicle. The indictment argued that the statement disrupted the flight and posed a risk to transportation safety.
The court ruled that the passenger’s actions endangered aviation safety and sentenced her to four years and two months in prison.
If the decision is upheld by an appeals court, the sentence will be enforced, and the defendant will serve time in prison.
Separately, the airline is preparing to file a compensation claim against the passenger for financial losses linked to the delay.
The case shows how seriously aviation-related statements are treated under Turkish law.
Even remarks described as jokes can trigger full emergency procedures, lead to flight disruptions, and result in criminal charges.
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