A Chinese man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after falsely claiming there was a bomb on a flight he had missed, triggering an airport emergency response and delaying five flights.
The incident took place on 18 November 2019 at Qingdao Liuting International Airport in Shandong Province. According to court records, the man, identified only by his surname Wang, arrived late for Flight 8L9870 from Qingdao to Wuhan and was unable to check in.
Frustrated after missing the flight, Wang twice told staff at the airport’s check-in counters that there was a bomb on board the aircraft. Even after being warned by airport employees, he pretended to call China’s emergency hotline and falsely reported that there was a bomb at Qingdao Airport.
Airport authorities immediately activated emergency procedures, informed the flight crew and carried out passenger and cargo evacuation and security inspections on the aircraft.
The false bomb threat caused the affected flight and four additional flights to be delayed by between nine and 86 minutes, seriously disrupting airport operations and public safety.
Wang was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with fabricating false terrorist information. The Chengyang District People’s Court in Qingdao found him guilty and sentenced him to one year and six months in prison.
Although Wang initially appealed the conviction, he later withdrew the appeal during the second-instance proceedings, making the original sentence final.
Presiding Judge Wu Zhonglei said the case highlights the serious legal consequences of making false bomb threats, even if they are made in anger or as a prank after missing a flight.
He explained that many similar cases arise from passengers venting their frustration over delayed check-ins or travel disputes, with offenders often claiming they were “just joking”. However, he stressed that aviation safety cannot be compromised because false threats can trigger widespread panic and require costly emergency responses.
Judge Wu noted that Wang deliberately reinforced the credibility of the threat by pretending to call police, forcing the airport to activate emergency plans, inspect the aircraft and mobilise multiple government agencies.
While Wang was a first-time offender who admitted his guilt and surrendered to authorities, the court ruled that his actions directly endangered aviation safety and warranted a prison sentence.
Judge Wu also pointed to new judicial guidelines issued in April 2026 by China’s Supreme People’s Court and Supreme People’s Procuratorate, which further strengthen penalties for fabricating or spreading false terrorist threats involving civil aviation.
Under the updated interpretation, anyone who intentionally spreads false bomb threats that lead to flight evacuations, enhanced airport security measures or emergency responses by police and firefighters can face criminal prosecution. Offenders who cause serious social disruption or major economic losses may be sentenced to more than five years in prison.
Judge Wu urged the public not to treat bomb threats as jokes, warning that every false report wastes public resources, disrupts airport operations and can have serious legal consequences.
“Aviation safety is a red line that must never be crossed. The law will not excuse anyone simply because they later claim they spoke in anger,” he said.
