dailynewsnblog
A scheduled 
Southwest Airlines flight on Friday evening took a frightening turn when there was a ‘security scare’ that led to the aircraft being diverted and visited by a SWAT team on arrival. The FBI later said there was no credible threat, the passenger who made a bomb threat will be charged.
The world’s largest low-cost carrier by fleet size, Southwest Airlines, was operating as WN2094 when the flight was forced to divert after a reported security threat. On arrival, the flight was met by a police SWAT team, leading to all passengers putting their ‘hands up’ until the suspect was apprehended.
No Credible Threat
On Friday, March 6, Southwest Airlines was operating a Boeing 737 MAX 8 service from Nashville International Airport (BNA) non-stop to 
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, when a passenger onboard made a security threat, which raised alarm with the crew who alerted the pilot. Following the continued concern, the flight was decided to divert to 
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Upon arrival in Atlanta, the suspect was apprehended, taken away and handed over to the FBI and Department of Homeland Security. As reported by NBC 15 News, a single statement was shared:
“The FBI and APD have investigated and interviewed the person. There was no credible threat and no charges will be filed.”
Diverted To Atlanta
Southwest Airlines flight 2094 was a scheduled non-stop service, which, according to Flightradar24 was scheduled to depart from Nashville at 7:00 pm with an expected arrival into FLL at 10:15 pm. The service was marginally delayed on departure, which led to the aircraft only pushing back from the gate 24 minutes late at 7:24. The plane took off in a Southerly direction, quickly climbing to its cruising altitude of 34,000 feet.
Around 24 minutes into the flight, the aircraft veers east just north of Birmingham, Alabama. This is when the aircraft was requested to land at Atlanta, based on the security threat that was unfolding onboard. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 touched down at ATL 44 minutes after its initial departure.
Met by the local SWAT team, video footage shared by passengers on X outlines everyone onboard with their hands in the air, with their heads down as the SWAT boarded the plane, handcuffed the suspect, and removed him from the aircraft. Southwest Airlines shared the following statement in relation to the affected flight:
“Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 landed safely at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Friday evening after diverting to respond to a possible security matter. We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and sincerely apologize to our Customers for the significant delay. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees.”
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Continued Onto Fort Lauderdale
After the suspect was safely removed from the plane, flight data indicates that all passengers were required to disembark the plane and were reaccommodated onto a new aircraft. The flight was then able to depart from Atlanta at 2:00 am, arriving in Fort Lauderdale at the unimaginable time of 3:20 am. Details of both aircraft involved below as per ch-aviation:
|
Flight |
Nashville To Atlanta |
Atlanta To Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
|
Aircraft Registration |
N8837Q |
N8572X |
|
Serial Number (MSN) |
67485 |
64251 |
|
Aircraft Type |
Boeing 737 MAX 8 |
Boeing 737-800 |
|
Delivery Date |
January 16, 2023 |
May 21, 2018 |
|
Age |
3.2 years |
7.8 years |
|
Configuration |
175 economy |
175 economy |
It is common practice for an aircraft to divert when there is a security threat, even if this is suspected to be nothing but a hoax. This is due to strict international safety protocols that mandate airlines to undertake necessary steps to protect passenger, crew and aircraft safety.
When an airline receives such a threat, it will usually divert to the closest practicable airport, for the suspect to be handed over to police authorities. In some instances, the suspect will be liable for necessary charges and may even be fined and/or banned from the airline.
