Latest news with #PortofSeattle
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Yahoo
Reported threat at Sea-Tac Airport closes two runways, suspect in custody
Police and fire departments of the Port of Seattle are investigating a reported threat made aboard an aircraft on a runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Saturday. According to a Port of Seattle travel alert, police and firefighters arrived to investigate the incident — which involved an aircraft on the 16R/34L runway — around 1:00 p.m. Saturday. According to a Saturday afternoon statement released by port spokesperson Chris Guizlo, Seattle Police learned of a threat made by a passenger to Alaska Airlines flight 2123 departing to Walla Walla. According to the statement, flight crew followed protocol to taxi the aircraft to the outboard runway furthest from the terminal as police arrived to investigate. As a result, two runways were closed around 1:16 p.m. and passengers on the flight were deplaned and put through a security screening around 1:34 p.m. Passengers, baggage and the aircraft were cleared through K9 inspection, and no suspicious items were found, according to the statement. According to the statement, a suspect was taken into custody. Further investigation found 'made a flippant remark regarding a bomb' to the flight crew. All such remarks are taken seriously and investigated, according to the Port of Seattle statement. The FBI and port police are reviewing the incident and will work with prosecutors to decide whether to pursue charges, according to the statement. As of 1:58 p.m., Port of Seattle updated their travel alert to state all passengers have been deplaned and the center runway had been reopened. According to the statement, the aircraft was cleared by 3 p.m. and towed back to the terminal, and runway 16R/34L was reopened by 3:15 p.m. At 3:19 p.m., the Port of Seattle issued another update announcing that the airport would return to normal operations. Travelers are advised to monitor their airlines for further information on their specific flights. Editor's note: This story has been updated to include new information about the nature of the aircraft incident.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Alaska Airlines passenger causes ground stop at Seattle Airport after making 'direct threat' to plane
Panic rippled through Seattle Airport on Saturday afternoon when a passenger aboard an Alaska Airlines flight allegedly issued a 'direct threat to the safety of the aircraft,' prompting an immediate ground stop and a swift response by police. Authorities say a threat was made just moments before takeoff on a Horizon Air flight bound for Walla Walla. The aircraft was still taxiing on the tarmac before it was suddenly redirected away from the terminal and surrounded by emergency response units. Two major runways were shut down, and inbound flights were temporarily halted as Port of Seattle police descended on the scene. A statement from Alaska Airlines clarified: 'While the aircraft was taxiing to the runway, a passenger made a direct threat to the safety of the aircraft while speaking with a flight attendant.' The specifics of the threat have not yet been disclosed, but officials say the nature of the passenger's words was serious enough to trigger a full security response. The suspect, whose identity has not yet been released, was taken into custody without incident. Law enforcement personnel swept the aircraft while passengers were ordered to disembark and undergo secondary security screening. A bomb-sniffing dog checked every passenger as they lined up single-file outside the plane. As the investigation unfolded, airport operations ground to a halt, reports KING5 Seattle. The Port of Seattle confirmed that two runways were closed during the police response, causing widespread ripple effects across Sea-Tac's flight schedule. At least six flights were canceled outright, and two others were diverted mid-air. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Port of Seattle authorities worked in tandem to secure the aircraft and re-screen passengers. Alaska Airlines stated the affected plane will remain out of service until it has been fully cleared under 'enhanced security measures.'
Fox News
14-06-2025
- Fox News
Passenger in custody after 'direct threat' to airplane shuts down Seattle Airport runways
One suspect is in police custody and all departures were delayed after a passenger made a "direct threat" to the safety of an Alaska Airlines aircraft Saturday at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Alaska Airlines confirmed to Fox News Digital there was a security incident at about 1 p.m. involving Alaska Airlines Flight 2123, operated by Horizon Air from Seattle to Walla Walla, Washington. "During taxi to the runway, a guest made a direct threat to the safety of the aircraft to one of our flight attendants," a spokesperson said. "Our crew members followed their procedures and secured the aircraft on a runway away from the airport." Local and federal law enforcement were immediately notified and approached the aircraft. FBI Seattle confirmed to Fox News Digital it responded along with the Port of Seattle Police Department. One suspect, who has not yet been identified, is in custody, according to the Port of Seattle and the airline. The Federal Aviation Administration later issued a ground stop "due to security." Two runways were closed after the incident, leaving just one open. Due to the threat, Alaska Airlines said at least six flights were canceled and two others were diverted. "We are working to get all guests to their destinations safely and as quickly as possible," a spokesperson said. The nature of the incident is unclear. There were 68 passengers and four crew members onboard, according to Alaska Airlines. Passengers were safely deplaned and will be returned to the terminal after a security screening, according to the Port of Seattle. The aircraft will be subject to security measures before continuing, Alaska Airlines said.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
New checkpoint at SEA expected to have travelers fly through security
A new TSA checkpoint at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is now open at the south end of the main terminal, according to a release from the Port of Seattle. Checkpoint 1 is on the baggage claim level of the terminal, a floor below all other security checkpoints at SEA, and features five screening lanes to allow travelers to go through TSA more efficiently. Open from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., the new checkpoint only allows general screening, not TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, according to the Port of Seattle. SeaTac advises that flyers can use both the upper departures and lower arrivals decks when getting to the airport during peak travel hours. If not checking a bag, a quick way to get through security is to use the lower arrivals drive close to doors 4 and 6 to get right to Checkpoint 1 on the baggage claim level. For more information on the new TSA checkpoint at SEA, visit
BBC News
26-05-2025
- BBC News
Japan plane diverted after man tried opening door mid-air
A Japanese plane headed from Tokyo to Texas had to make an emergency landing after a passenger tried to open one of its doors during the Nippon Airways (ANA) Flight 114 was diverted to Seattle hours after taking off on Saturday "due to an unruly passenger", the airline of Seattle police told media they had been notified of a man who "attempted to open exit doors during the flight".The man, who was not identified, was "having a medical crisis" and had to be restrained by other passengers and flight crew, police said. He was later taken to a hospital. It is unclear if he will face any charges."The safety of our passengers and crew are our top priority and we applaud the efforts of local law enforcement for their support," ANA said in a the plane was waiting on the tarmac of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, a second person was removed from the flight for "unruly behaviour", authorities data shows that the plane made it to its destination, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, on Saturday around 12:40 local time (17:40 GMT) - four hours after its scheduled arrival is the latest in a string of similar April, a Jetstar flight from Bali, Indonesia was forced to turn around during its journey to Melbourne, Australia, after a passenger similarly tried to open a plane door in the November, a man who tried to open the plane door during an American Airlines flight was restrained and tied up by fellow passengers with duct in November 2023, nine passengers of an Asiana Airlines flight were sent to hospital with breathing difficulties after a man successfully opened the aircraft's emergency exit door prior to it landing at a South Korean airport.
