Panic rippled through Seattle Airport on Saturday afternoon when a passenger aboard an Alaska Airlines flight allegedly issued a 'direct threat to the safety of the aircraft,' prompting an immediate ground stop and a swift response by police.
Authorities say a threat was made just moments before takeoff on a Horizon Air flight bound for Walla Walla.
The aircraft was still taxiing on the tarmac before it was suddenly redirected away from the terminal and surrounded by emergency response units.
Two major runways were shut down, and inbound flights were temporarily halted as Port of Seattle police descended on the scene.
A statement from Alaska Airlines clarified: 'While the aircraft was taxiing to the runway, a passenger made a direct threat to the safety of the aircraft while speaking with a flight attendant.'
The specifics of the threat have not yet been disclosed, but officials say the nature of the passenger's words was serious enough to trigger a full security response.
The suspect, whose identity has not yet been released, was taken into custody without incident.
Law enforcement personnel swept the aircraft while passengers were ordered to disembark and undergo secondary security screening.
A bomb-sniffing dog checked every passenger as they lined up single-file outside the plane.
As the investigation unfolded, airport operations ground to a halt, reports KING5 Seattle.
The Port of Seattle confirmed that two runways were closed during the police response, causing widespread ripple effects across Sea-Tac's flight schedule. At least six flights were canceled outright, and two others were diverted mid-air.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Port of Seattle authorities worked in tandem to secure the aircraft and re-screen passengers.
Alaska Airlines stated the affected plane will remain out of service until it has been fully cleared under 'enhanced security measures.'
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