A Spirit Airlines flight in Detroit was evacuated Thursday morning after a bomb threat forced passengers to be rushed off the plane and rescreened by TSA as K-9 units swept the aircraft for explosives.
Key Takeaways
- Spirit Airlines Flight 2145 from Detroit to Los Angeles received a bomb threat at approximately 7 a.m. as passengers were boarding
- Passengers were evacuated from the aircraft, which was moved to a remote location, and transported to the airport’s Evans terminal
- K-9 units and law enforcement conducted a thorough search and found no explosive devices on the plane
- After all passengers were rescreened, the flight eventually departed for Los Angeles around 1 p.m., nearly 4.5 hours after its scheduled departure time
- The source of the bomb threat remains under investigation by authorities
Emergency Response to Morning Threat
Spirit Airlines Flight 2145, scheduled to depart Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport for Los Angeles at 8:36 a.m. Thursday, was abruptly evacuated following a bomb threat reported around 7 a.m. as passengers were boarding. Emergency responders from the Wayne County Airport Authority and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration quickly mobilized to address the potential security threat. Following standard security protocols, authorities moved the aircraft to a remote location away from the main terminal area to minimize risk to other travelers and airport operations.
Passengers were safely deplaned and transported to the airport’s Evans terminal while law enforcement initiated security procedures. K-9 units specially trained to detect explosives conducted a comprehensive search of the aircraft and all luggage. The immediate response demonstrated the serious nature with which aviation security threats are handled, even as passengers faced significant delays and uncertainty about their travel plans. No information has been released about how the threat was initially communicated to authorities.
Airline and Law Enforcement Coordination
Spirit Airlines confirmed they had requested law enforcement assistance before the flight’s scheduled departure due to what they described as a “potential security issue.” The airline worked closely with authorities throughout the incident, prioritizing passenger safety over maintaining the flight schedule. As the investigation unfolded, all passengers underwent additional security screening, a standard procedure in such situations to ensure no unauthorized materials were brought back onto the aircraft.
“Law enforcement was requested to meet Spirit Airlines flight 2145 (DTW-LAX) prior to departure from Detroit (DTW) due to a potential security issue. The aircraft taxied to a remote location, and Guests were safely deplaned and transported back to the terminal. The Guests were rescreened, and the aircraft was inspected and cleared by law enforcement. The safety of our Guests and Team Members is our top priority, and the flight reboarded and departed to Los Angeles (LAX). Further questions should be directed to law enforcement,” according to Spirit Airlines.
The coordinated response between airline staff and multiple law enforcement agencies demonstrated the established protocols for handling aviation security threats. While Spirit Airlines declined to provide further details about the specific nature of the threat, they confirmed that all proper procedures were followed to ensure passenger safety. The airline’s emphasis on “Guest” safety reflects the serious approach to security threats in the post-9/11 aviation environment.
Flight Eventually Departs After All-Clear
After thorough inspection by security personnel and K-9 units found no evidence of explosives or other dangerous materials on the aircraft, Flight 2145 was cleared for departure. Passengers, who had been waiting in the terminal during the security sweep, were allowed to reboard the aircraft. The flight eventually departed for Los Angeles shortly after 1 p.m., approximately 4.5 hours after its originally scheduled departure time of 8:36 a.m., causing significant disruption to passengers’ travel plans.
“The Guests were rescreened, and the aircraft was inspected and cleared by law enforcement. The safety of our Guests and Team Members is our top priority, and we are working to get our Guests to their destination as soon as possible,” stated Alex Oliveria.
This incident at Detroit Metro Airport comes amid a challenging year for aviation safety, with several high-profile incidents already reported in 2025. These include a deadly collision at Reagan National Airport, a Learjet crash in Philadelphia, and a Delta jet accident in Toronto. Additionally, Newark International Airport has faced significant operational challenges with delays and cancellations attributed to air traffic controller shortages and outdated infrastructure. Authorities continue to investigate the source of the bomb threat against Spirit Airlines Flight 2145.
