St. Pete – Clearwater International Airport in the United States was closed for several hours on Friday due to a bomb threat on an Allegiant Air flight.
The Allegiant Airbus A320, registration N212NV, was set to depart for Cincinnati when security services were alerted about the bomb threat. One of the cabin crew members found a handwritten note in the cabin containing the threat. According to the local Sheriff, the threat applied not only to N212NV but to all Allegiant aircraft at the airport.
Several aircraft were then directed to a remote area of the airport, in this case, the secondary runway and a secluded taxiway. There, stairs were placed against the planes, and passengers were required to leave the Airbuses. The travelers and crew were transported back to the terminal by bus while the aircraft were thoroughly searched. Allegiant stated in a statement that the flight to Cincinnati was delayed due to a “potential security issue” and that an investigation had been launched. No explosives were found.
Disruptions
Bomb threats often cause significant disruptions for airlines and airports, as the safety of staff and passengers is paramount. Many of these reports turn out to be false, with the tension and emergency response later proving to be unnecessary. Nevertheless, all reports are always taken seriously. In early 2024, there were even six false bomb threats in just one month: one in Italy, one in South Africa, one in the Netherlands, and as many as three in India.