A bomb threat on a United Airlines flight caused an emergency diversion to Chicago on Wednesday morning. The flight, initially bound for Los Angeles from Newark Liberty International Airport, was grounded at O’Hare Airport after a note threatening to blow up the plane was found in the bathroom.
Passengers and crew, numbering over 200, were evacuated from the flight. The aircraft, United Airlines Flight 1533, was inspected by a bomb-sniffing dog, which identified a suspicious bag that was later removed by a robot. Both the Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines confirmed that the diversion was due to a “security” concern.
Author and sports columnist Ian O’Connor, who was aboard the flight, described a tense atmosphere following the pilot’s announcement of the situation. Passengers were not allowed to take any items off the plane as they were brought back to the terminal.
Once on the ground, it was revealed that the emergency landing was prompted by a note found in the bathroom, claiming a person had a bomb on the plane and that law enforcement needed to investigate. While flyers were eventually allowed to retrieve their belongings and board alternative flights, it was not immediately clear if anyone was taken into custody.
The bomb threat in Chicago comes after an incident earlier in the week, when a threat against Air Canada 8657 was reported at Newark Airport. The plane landed without incident, and all passengers were safely evacuated.
These recent events have raised concerns about the safety and security measures in place for commercial flights, prompting authorities to investigate both instances thoroughly.