Alaska Airlines flight locked down at Miami airport after passenger threats, officials say
An Alaska Airlines flight scheduled to leave Miami International Airport on Sunday evening was held on the ground after crew members reported threats from passengers, forcing the aircraft into a lockdown protocol and a return to the gate, according to air traffic control audio reviewed by CNN.
The pilot of Alaska Airlines Flight 305, a Miami-to-Seattle service, told controllers that a customer disturbance had escalated while the plane was taxiing. “We have set the parking brake, and we have a customer disturbance on board right now, with threats coming from customers,” the pilot said. “We want to go into a lockdown protocol. We are shutting down our engine, and the parking brake is set.”
A controller acknowledged the request, and the pilot confirmed that flight attendants had received threats from passengers. Law enforcement was requested and told to stand by at the gate. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Airport District deputies responded to the aircraft, according to local affiliate WBFS.
Two passengers were removed from the plane and later rebooked on another flight, according to WFOR. An investigation by the sheriff’s office found no credible threat, but passengers were deplaned out of an abundance of caution before the aircraft was cleared to continue.
The flight had been scheduled to push back at 6:29 p.m. local time, but returned to the gate minutes later. It eventually departed at approximately 8:45 p.m. and completed its journey without further incident, according to Flightradar24 and WFOR.
The incident adds to a broader pattern of in-flight disruptions that have drawn increased attention from aviation authorities and lawmakers in recent years. Airlines have trained crews to follow strict protocols when passengers exhibit threatening behavior, and even unsubstantiated threats can trigger significant operational delays as a precaution.
CNN has reached out to Alaska Airlines, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Aviation Administration for comment. Miami International Airport directed inquiries to the airline and sheriff’s office.