dailynewsnblog
An Airbus A320 operated by Frontier Airlines landed at 
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and a passenger reported a verbal bomb threat almost immediately after touchdown. Just after 5:00 PM (EST) today, the plane taxied to an area that was isolated from other aircraft and buildings while local authorities responded to the situation.
Pilots declared a level four security alert upon learning of the threat, a distress signal indicating an attempted or actual breach of the cockpit or similarly dangerous, life-threatening situation. After first responders and the Atlanta Police arrived on scene, it was found that the bomb threat was not credible and was handled as an ‘unruly passenger’ case, according to FOX5 News.
An Unlucky Day For Frontier Flyers From Columbus
Flight 2539 had a normal departure shortly after 2:30 PM (EST) from Ohio’s John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), according to FlightAware, and an uneventful flight en route to ATL. It wasn’t until the plane was on the ground that the male passenger suddenly claimed to have a bomb on board and threatened to kill the woman sitting next to him.
The aircraft was immediately redirected to a remote taxiway far from the terminal when the pilots relayed the emergency to air traffic control. Atlanta Police, SWAT, and FBI all responded. After the situation was under control, passengers were deplaned via airstairs on the tarmac and transported by bus to the terminal. Despite determining that there was not a credible threat, the aircraft still had to be thoroughly searched.
The FBI has taken the lead in the ongoing investigation. A spokesperson for Frontier Airlines responded to a request for comment with this statement:
“Earlier today, shortly after Flight 2539 from Columbus, Ohio, to Atlanta landed at ATL and was taxiing to the gate, a passenger made a verbal bomb threat. As a matter of precaution and in coordination with local authorities, the aircraft parked at a remote location while law enforcement responded. Passengers deplaned via airstairs and are being bused to the terminal. The threat has been deemed non-credible.”
Level Four Alert On Frontier Flight 2539
Level four is the highest threat under the four-tiered system of distress alerts, as the Federal Aviation Administration outlines them, and the ICAO standards follow as well. The air crew was able to rapidly convey the extremely dangerous situation to authorities with this simple distress message. Although level four is described as direct attempts of violence towards the flight deck, it also extends to the safety of the aircraft in general.
For context, level one communicates to authorities that there is disruptive behavior in the cabin. Level two means there is some sort of physically abusive behavior or a violent altercation, like pushing or hitting. Meanwhile, level three means some sort of life-threatening behavior, such as the display of a weapon.
Air Traffic Control handles coordinating local law enforcement responses for the airplane once it receives the distress call. Pilots will also squawk the transponder code 7500, which is a universal signal that indicates a hijacking. This is also useful in the case that the air crew cannot speak directly over the radio.
Frontier Airlines Passenger Discovers Loaded Firearm Onboard Airbus A320 In Atlanta
An unexpected find on an Airbus A320 thrusts Frontier Airlines into a tense investigation.
The Fallout Of A False Bomb Threat
The Frontier jet was already on the ground at ATL today, but if a level four threat occurs in flight, the aircraft will divert to the closest suitable airport. Specialized response units, such as FBI teams and local SWAT in the case of flight 2539, take control of the scene, often including K9 explosives detection teams. The massive law enforcement response is a reflection of the extreme gravity of the situation, as are the criminal charges that followed an arrest for such a crime.
The suspect from flight 2359 now faces federal charges of false reporting and secondary assault, which carry a potential 20-year prison sentence, as Paddle Your Own Kanoo writes. It is likely that the perpetrator of the false bomb threat will be facing several felony charges. In addition to jail time, both airlines and the FAA can impose significant financial burdens, and the individual will be listed on the permanent no-fly list with Frontier and possibly all airlines.
