NEED TO KNOW
- A flight passenger is in police custody following a security incident on the runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on June 14
- The individual posed a “direct threat to the safety of the aircraft,” a spokesperson said, per Fox 13 Seattle
- Two runways were closed amid the incident and at least six flights were reportedly cancelled
A flight passenger is in police custody following a security incident involving an Alaska Airlines aircraft at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
At around 1:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, June 14, the Port of Seattle Police and Fire Department began investigating a situation involving a plane on the runway at SEA, the airport stated in a news release.
An individual allegedly posed a “direct threat’ to the safety of Alaska Airlines Flight 2123, with 68 passengers and four crew members on board, as it was preparing to take off from Seattle to Walla Walla, Wash., Fox 13 Seattle reported.
“During taxi to the runway, a guest made a direct threat to the safety of the aircraft to one of our flight attendants. Our crew members followed their procedures and secured the aircraft on a runway away from the airport,” an Alaska Airlines spokesperson told the outlet.
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FBI Seattle responded to the incident, along with the Port of Seattle Police Department, per Fox 13 Seattle. The Federal Aviation Administration also issued a ground stop “due to security,” according to the outlet.
One suspect is in custody, while the nature of the incident has not been disclosed at this time.
The passengers of the aircraft were deplaned and “returned to the terminal after security screening,” according to the news release. Two runways were closed and one was left open following the incident. Both runways have since reopened.
Alaska Airlines confirmed that at least six flights were canceled and two others diverted, per Fox 13 Seattle. “We are working to get all guests to their destinations safely and as quickly as possible,” the airline spokesperson told the outlet.
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Video footage obtained by KING 5 Seattle shows the Port of Seattle Police Department with sniffer dogs at the scene as passengers were seen lining up on the runway.
The investigation is ongoing.
PEOPLE has contacted the SEA, FBI Seattle and the FAA for comment.
