After a note was discovered inside an Allegiant Air flight, Florida’s St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport ( PIE ) received a bomb threat, which prompted an evacuation and a temporary airport shutdown.
The aircraft resumed normal operations on Friday night after a thorough inspection.
The Allegiant plane reportedly touched down in Cincinnati around 5:30 p.m. ( local time ) and was scheduled to make its way back to the same location, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO ).
A trip attendant discovered a written bomb threat as the plane approached the rear bathroom and forced the pilot to prevent the plane and eject the customers right away.
Judge Bob Gualtieri stated at a press conference that “everyone was properly deplaned and there were no accidents.” The PCSO stated that the danger was “very large” and appeared to extend far beyond a single plane. Gualtieri continued,” It wasn’t just the specific aircraft; it also included all Allegiant flights at the aircraft,” according to Fox 13.
Following that, government shut down all six Allegiant plane at the airports. Bomb-sniffing dogs were used to clean the aircraft while each passenger was carefully taken out of the ship. The airport reopened around 8 p.m. ( local time ), according to the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ). No explosives were discovered on any of the aircraft.
According to a statement from Allegiant Air, the incident occurred just before Allegiant Flight 2006 was scheduled to depart for Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport at 3:59 pm ( local time ). The airport stated that” we often give our passengers and crew the best priority,” and that it is working with law enforcement to this day.
All people on the affected aircraft are being interviewed, according to ABC Action News, and some suspects are reportedly being sought by investigators. Judge Gualtieri, however, did not provide any details as to who might be at fault for the written risk.
According to recent poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, the risk has become apparent at a time when less Americans are reported to be feeling secure flying.
Travelers were advised to check with their carriers for information on specific planes that were impacted by the closing.
