Flight evacuated, 1 arrested following reports of a bomb threat on jetliner at San Diego airport
May 20, 2025, 1:57 PM
A Hawaiian Airlines airplane sits on the tarmac after an evacuation Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the San Diego International Airport in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
SAN DIEGO (AP) — One person was arrested following reports of a possible bomb threat on a Hawaiian Airlines flight set to take off from San Diego International Airport, leading to the evacuation of the plane, officials said.
The Airbus A330 bound for Honolulu had just pushed back from the gate around 8:45 a.m. Monday when “a flight attendant informed the flight’s captain that a passenger reported a possible bomb onboard,” according to a statement from Port of San Diego Harbor police.
The captain called police and SWAT officers, and the FBI responded to search the aircraft. Nothing suspicious was found, and there was no threat to travelers, the police statement said.
Hawaiian Airlines said in a statement that “a guest was overheard making a threat to the safety of our aircraft” and the captain alerted authorities as a precaution.
“An arrest has been made,” Port of San Diego spokesperson Brianne Mundy Page said in an email. There was no immediate information about a suspect or possible charges, but Page said more details would be released later Monday.
All 293 people aboard Hawaiian Airlines Flight 15 were evacuated and transported by bus to a safe area.
“We are working to get all guests to Honolulu as quickly as possible,” the airline statement said. “We are grateful for the professionalism and care of our flight attendants and pilots throughout this event.”
