Officials canceled multiple flights at a Seattle Airport over the weekend after a passenger made a “direct threat.” Authorities reportedly took them into custody.
According to a report by Fox News, the incident occurred on Saturday, June 14, at around 1 PM. All flights were temporarily delayed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after a customer made a “direct threat” to the safety of an Alaska Airlines plane.
A spokesperson confirmed to the outlet there was a “security incident” involving Alaska Airlines Flight 2123. The flight was due to depart to Walla Walla, Washington. However, the spokesperson reportedly said, “During taxi to the runway, a guest made a direct threat to the safety of the aircraft to one of our flight attendants. Our crew members followed their procedures and secured the aircraft on a runway away from the airport.”
Authorities have taken a single suspect into custody, and the FAA has confirmed that they issued a ground stop due to security reasons.
Officials Cancelled Multiple Flights After Alleged Bomb Threat
The Airport released a statement after the incident, revealing the disruption was caused by a “flippant remark” about a bomb. “All such remarks are taken seriously and investigated with an abundance of caution,” the statement reads.
Authorities escorted all passengers off the aircraft and initiated a search of the plane with a K9 unit. The airport confirms they found no suspicious objects on board. The statement also reveals a time frame for the incident, saying that officials cleared the aircraft by 3 PM and towed it back to the terminal. The runway was reopened shortly after.
Fox 13 reveals that officials canceled at least six flights after the threat. Two others were also reportedly diverted. Flights heading to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SIA) were also instructed to remain at their takeoff locations. Two of the three runways at SIA were also closed during the investigation. It’s unclear what legal action the suspect may face. However, the airport explains, “The FBI and Port of Seattle Police are reviewing and will work with prosecutors to determine whether charges are appropriate.”