Threat Directed at JetBlue Airliner Prompts Search of Plane at LAX

Threat Directed at JetBlue Airliner Prompts Search of Plane at LAX
A JetBlue airplane is shown at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, on March 16, 2017. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo)
City News Service
5/4/2023
Updated:
5/4/2023
0:00

LOS ANGELES—A JetBlue airliner that landed at Los Angeles International Airport after a flight from Las Vegas was evacuated and searched by a bomb squad May 4 due to a threat allegedly made by a passenger who missed the flight.

The JetBlue plane was taken to the far western end of the LAX tarmac after it landed Thursday afternoon. Buses were brought in to carry the passengers and crew to the airport terminal.

Reports from the scene indicated there were 73 people aboard.

According to the Los Angeles Airport Police Department, at about 2 p.m., a “disgruntled passenger who missed his flight” in Las Vegas “made a statement indicating that his luggage contained a possible bomb on the JetBlue flight number 879.” Las Vegas police “took enforcement action” against the passenger and notified LAX Police, leading to the isolation of the plane and the search.

A bomb squad searched the aircraft, and no signs of an explosive device were found.

There were no reports of any injuries.