Travelers were forced to evacuate a Spirit Airlines flight after a bomb threat was reported at a Michigan airport.
On Thursday morning, Flight 2145 – scheduled to depart from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to Los Angeles International Airport – was abruptly halted just before takeoff.
‘The Wayne County Airport Authority’s Emergency & Support Services and Airfield Operations team along with the TSA responded to a bomb threat involving a Spirit Airlines aircraft,’ an airport authority spokesperson said, as reported by CBS News.
TSA officials and airfield operations teams quickly mobilized, safely deplaning all passengers without incident.
Video footage from the incident captured a heavy emergency response presence, with flashing lights visible through the rain-soaked windows.
A Wayne County Airport Authority employee addressed passengers over the intercom at the front of the plane, informing them that a ‘situation’ would require everyone to de-board the aircraft.
He instructed travelers to leave all carry-on items on the plane, assuring them their belongings would be safe as the aircraft would be secured and surrounded by authorities.
Flight 2145 was abruptly halted just before takeoff
Video footage from the incident captured passengers deplaning
Spirit Airlines said law enforcement was requested to meet the aircraft due to a ‘potential security issue’
After explaining how to de-board the aircraft safely and efficiently, he informed passengers that TSA K-9 dogs were waiting outside to screen everyone as they exited.
Following the deplaning, travelers were transported by bus to the Evans Terminal as authorities launched an investigation into the bomb threat.
All passengers were rescreened once again after deplaning, and the aircraft was thoroughly inspected and later cleared by authorities.
As of now, no explosive device has been found, and no injuries have been reported.
However, an investigation remains ongoing.
According to flight tracking data, the aircraft eventually departed around 12.45pm – several hours after its intended departure time.
Spirit Airlines released a statement explaining that law enforcement was requested to meet the aircraft prior to departure due to a ‘potential security issue’.
‘The safety of our Guests and Team Members is our top priority, and we are working to get our Guests to their destination as soon as possible,’ the airline’s statement read, as reported by KTLA News.
In February, an American Airlines flight was delayed by more than four hours when a passenger arrived at Austin Airport with their Wi-Fi hotspot saved as ‘I have a bomb’.
Police boarded flight 2863, bound for Charlotte, and asked the passenger to identify themselves, assessing it could be a ‘prank’.
As of now, no explosive device has been found
In February, an American Airlines flight was delayed by more than four hours when a passenger arrived at Austin Airport with their Wi-Fi hotspot saved as ‘I have a bomb’
‘Cue the groaning from the entire f***ing plane when the cop announced this,’ one passenger recalled, with choice words for the ‘idiot’ who refused to come forward.
Another passenger, who gave his name as Steen, told ABC News that he was travelling home when the incident happened.
He recalled a police official boarding the plane and telling passengers the prank was not funny.
‘If this is a joke, please raise your hand now, because we can deal with the practical joke differently than if this… if we have to do a full blown investigation of what’s going on here,’ Sheen recalled the lieutenant as having said.
When nobody owned up, all passengers were asked to make their way off the plane.
Several K9 units were brought in to sniff around the baggage compartment of the plane, as well as the luggage hauled out onto the tarmac, while passengers waited in a cordoned-off segment before being re-screened at security.
The aircraft was eventually cleared after it was swept for explosives. The plane finally departed more than four hours later.
‘Eventually we are able to board again and take off but the whole thing was just so f***ing infuriating because after all that they were not even able to determine who the hell did this s***,’ a passenger shared.
Spirit Airlines has not immediately responded to DailyMail.com for comment.
