Spanish passenger arrested in connection to security hoax

Qatar Airways has announced that a 25-year-old Spanish passenger flying with her parents on QR001 from Doha to London today has been arrested by Syrian authorities in connection with a security hoax.

The Spanish woman, who was enroute to London from Kathmandu via Doha, reportedly told two British passengers on QR001 that an explosive device was on board the aircraft.

The British passengers informed cabin crew and the A330-200 aircraft immediately diverted safely to Damascus.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Mr Akbar Al Baker praised Syrian authorities who searched the plane and looked after the passengers.

He said Syrian authorities did not find any explosive device aboard the flight after a thorough investigation.

The Syrian Minister of Interior reports that the Spanish woman has been arrested and that she is mentally ill.

In a separate incident today, a cleaner found a note on flight QR514 while in Cairo, which advised that the A320 aircraft should be searched.

Egyptian authorities searched the aircraft and found nothing unusual. The flight has since returned to Doha safely.

"Qatar Airways has recently installed a highly sophisticated security monitoring system called Mobile Security, to ensure that the welfare of our passengers is absolutely safeguarded," said Mr Al Baker.

"This is the first hoax that the airline has received. We will continue to treat any such hoax as very serious," Mr Al Baker said.