Allegiant Air flight in Florida Evacuated After Bomb Threat

CLEARWATER, Fla. — On  Friday, April 25, 2025, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office investigated a bomb threat found on an Allegiant Air flight at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport.

At approximately 4:51 p.m., deputies were notified of a written bomb threat discovered in the bathroom of an Allegiant flight bound for Cincinnati, Ohio.

The plane, which had arrived from Cincinnati and was on the tarmac, had about 170 passengers.

A flight attendant found the threat on the rear lavatory door, prompting the pilot to stop the aircraft on the runway.

“Passengers on board Allegiant Airways Flight 2006 safely deplaned on the taxiway at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in Florida around 4:30 pm local time, because of a security threat,” the FAA posted on X.

During a press conference, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri stated the threat targeted not only the specific flight but all Allegiant aircraft at the airport. This led to the evacuation and search of approximately six Allegiant planes, including those at the gate and incoming flights.

Bomb detection dogs from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from other agencies, cleared all aircraft, finding no explosive devices. The airport was deemed safe, and normal operations resumed after several hours.

The Sheriff’s Office Threat Management Division is interviewing passengers and crew, with some individuals’ actions noted as suspicious.

No one is in custody, and the investigation is ongoing to determine when and where the threat was written.

Sheriff Gualtieri said the investigation considers all passengers and crew as potential suspects.

Flights were delayed, and passengers faced logistical challenges, including re-screening by TSA.

Gualtieri noted that threatening to place an explosive device is a serious crime under state law, with possible federal charges due to the aviation context.

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