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A Delta Airlines flight scheduled to depart LaGuardia Airport on Tuesday night was evacuated after a bomb threat was reported, Port Authority officials said.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. as the aircraft prepared to leave Terminal C. According to the Port Authority, the crew alerted authorities after hearing of a potential explosive threat on board.
The plane was immediately moved away from the terminal for inspection, and passengers were transported back with their luggage by bus.
Port Authority police later cleared the aircraft at approximately 10 p.m.
“Prior to departure from New York LaGuardia (LGA), customers on Delta flight 2313 to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) were deplaned and transported back to the terminal due to a potential security concern,” a spokesperson for Delta told PIX11 News in a statement.
“The safety and security of our customers and employees comes before all else and we apologize for the delay in their travels.”
Sources said the flight remained grounded overnight and eventually departed around 7 a.m. Wednesday.
In other news, An Air Peace flight from Abuja to Asaba narrowly avoided a potential disaster on Friday after one of its engines reportedly failed while preparing for take-off at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The incident occurred moments after the aircraft had accelerated on the runway when a loud bang was heard, accompanied by flashes of light. Fortunately, there was no fire outbreak.
The pilot immediately aborted the take-off and safely taxied the aircraft back to the terminal, where all passengers were calmly disembarked.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and relief, with some passengers breaking into prayers and songs of thanksgiving after the plane came to a stop.
