On May 20, 2025, a Hawaiian Airlines flight was evacuated due to a bomb threat made by a passenger at San Diego International Airport. This incident highlights the importance of aviation security and the swift response of law enforcement agencies in the United States.
The incident occurred on Flight 15, an Airbus A330, which was scheduled to depart for Honolulu at 8:28 a.m. local time. During the pushback from the gate, a passenger was overheard making a threat to the safety of the aircraft, specifically mentioning a possible bomb. As a precaution, the captain immediately taxied the plane to a safe location on the airfield, where it was met by local and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Port of San Diego Harbor Police, the FBI, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
All 283 passengers and 10 crew members were safely evacuated from the aircraft and transported by bus to a secure area. The plane was thoroughly searched by bomb-sniffing dogs and other security personnel, and no suspicious items were found. After the aircraft was cleared, passengers reboarded and the flight eventually departed around five hours later.
One person was arrested in connection with the incident, although further details about the suspect or the charges were not immediately disclosed. The FBI stated that the investigation was ongoing and urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
This incident underscores the robust security measures in place at U.S. airports and the coordinated efforts of various agencies to ensure passenger safety. Despite the disruption, the swift response of the authorities prevented any harm to passengers and crew, and airport operations remained largely unaffected.