An American Airlines flight was significantly delayed after a passenger renamed their WiFi hotspot to a threatening message, sparking a security scare.
Flight Delayed Over WiFi Hotspot Name
Flight 286, scheduled to depart from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport for Charlotte, North Carolina, at 1:42 pm, was delayed for over four hours after the crew discovered a concerning hotspot name: “There is a bomb on the flight.” The discovery led to immediate security measures as law enforcement was called to investigate.
Passengers Evacuated, Security Re-Screening Conducted
Upon arrival, the police urged the responsible individual to step forward, cautioning that the situation would be handled differently if it was a prank. “If this is a joke, please raise your hand now, because we can deal with the practical joke differently than if we have to do a full-blown investigation of what’s going on here,” an officer stated, according to passenger Bruce Steen, 63.
As no one admitted responsibility, the authorities took stringent measures. All passengers were evacuated and directed to a secured area, where they underwent thorough security checks, including individual hotspot inspections. Their luggage was also offloaded and re-screened. Additionally, bomb-sniffing dogs were deployed to inspect both checked and carry-on baggage.
Authorities Conduct Investigation, Flight Resumes
The Austin Police Department confirmed the situation but noted that it did not cause significant disruptions to broader airport operations. Meanwhile, a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) spokesperson emphasized the agency’s commitment to safety, stating, “We take bomb threats very seriously.”
After an exhaustive security sweep, including a full aircraft inspection, the flight was finally cleared for departure and took off at approximately 6:15 pm.
The incident serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of security-related pranks in air travel. Authorities continue to investigate the incident to determine the individual responsible for the alarm.
Sources By Agencies
