The 35-year-old had been at the last security check before the gate when he was asked by airport staff to remove his laptop from his bag so it could be checked.
Not wanting to, he instead made the wisecrack remark that there were “only three bombs” in his hand luggage, adding that he “wasn’t wearing his suicide belt” today.
But the joker quickly realised his error after he was immediately removed from the other passengers, had his luggage was taken away and airport security were called.
A head to toe search carried out on the man showed he was not carrying any explosives but he was nevertheless not allowed to get on his flight and instead taken away by police.
Security at the airport has been heightened, including more police patrolling with guns and sniffer dogs, since the attacks on Brussels in March which killed 32 people.
A separate incident involving a Vienna airport security worker accused of expressing ISIS sympathies online has also added to concerns.
The man was suspended after a photo was found of him online making a ISIS victory hand gesture. He also reportedly posted information suggesting he was a fan of websites associated with jihad ideology.
It follows the recent claim made by some Brussels police officers in an open letter that at least 50 ISIS sympathisers are still working at Brussels Airport, despite police issuing a warning about them.
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