Abu Dhabi: Passengers and others are being urged to avoid pranks near airports or face legal action.
The Abu Dhabi Police Department, in a statement on Saturday, asked people not to say anything that could jeopardise the security and safety near airports, as a joke or words said in a fit of anger could have negative consequences.
The police spokesman said that people who did not abide by these guidelines would be held legally accountable, and that their actions or irresponsible words may delay flights.
Strict security procedures are enforced at airports to check bags and passengers who make jokes about security issues.
Colonel Khamis Mosabah Al Marar, Director of Ports and Airports Security in the Abu Dhabi Police Department, said that joking about security by any person on a plane or at the airport was taken very seriously by airlines and the police worldwide. He said that UAE police were serious that no jokes or pranks would be tolerated.
Consequences
He said cracking jokes about bombs in the plane was not funny as planes were returned to base or did not take off on time as a result of such words.
Colonel Al Marar said that passengers needed to take these standards and regulations seriously in all airports around the world.
Colonel Al Marar referred to a recent incident at Abu Dhabi airport in which a passenger and a member of staff in reservations argued about changing the passenger's seat.
The passenger became very angry and said he would blow up the airplane.
Security staff dealt with the incident in a very strict manner, he said. Despite the fact that everyone understood why the man was so angry, every necessary procedure was taken to protect and ensure the safety of other passengers.
Colonel Al Marar added that the UAE Civil Aviation Law No. 55 clearly stipulates legal action against anyone who conveys false information about a flight, thereby threatening the lives of passengers.
