Florida’s St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport temporarily shut down on Friday evening due to an unfounded bomb threat. The incident began around 4:30 p.m. when a flight attendant on an Allegiant Airways flight to Cincinnati discovered an explicit note about a bomb threat in a bathroom. The flight was on the taxiway when the pilot was alerted, stopping the aircraft and evacuating approximately 170 passengers. According to Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, the threat was broad, affecting all Allegiant flights at the airport, which prompted officials to evacuate all planes and close the airport during the investigation.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the investigation revealed no explosive devices present, assuring officials of the airport’s safety. The airport reopened at 8:27 p.m. following the investigation. While no one is in custody yet, authorities remain vigilant, having identified several individuals whose actions raised suspicion, and have declared everyone, including crew members, as suspects in the ongoing investigation.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the airport’s closure and flight delays, providing a link for real-time updates on flight schedules. Initial reports indicated a lack of discovered explosives, alleviating some concerns amid the chaos caused by this bomb threat incident.
