Australian authorities are responding to a reported bomb scare on a flight to New Zealand

MELBOURNE, Australia – Australian authorities responded to a reported bomb scare on a flight from New Zealand to Sydney on Saturday. Police said there was no danger.

News media reported that Air New Zealand Flight 247 remained on the tarmac at Sydney Airport for hours with its passengers on board due to a bomb threat.

Australian Federal Police said they responded to an incident on board a plane en route to the airport.

“The investigation is ongoing. There is no danger to the community,” a police statement said.

Air New Zealand said in a statement that there had been a “security incident” on the flight.

“We are cooperating with local authorities and following standard protocols established for such incidents. “The safety of all passengers and crew is our top priority,” the airline said in a statement.