Honolulu, May 21 - Hawaiian Airlines Flight HA15, an Airbus A330 bound for Honolulu, on May 20, 2025, was diverted to a remote area of San Diego International Airport after a reported bomb threat, prompting a swift and coordinated response from airline personnel and law enforcement. The incident occurred at approximately 8:45 a.m. local time, shortly after the aircraft, carrying 283 passengers and 10 crew members, had pushed back from the gate in preparation for takeoff. The captain, alerted by a flight attendant to a passenger’s alleged threat to the safety of the aircraft, immediately taxied the plane to a secure location on the airfield, away from the main terminal and other aircraft, as a precautionary measure. This decisive action ensured the safety of all on board while allowing authorities to investigate the threat.
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Local and federal law enforcement, including the San Diego Harbor Police, SWAT teams, and the FBI, responded promptly, surrounding the aircraft to secure the area. Passengers and crew were safely evacuated onto buses by approximately 10:30 a.m., a process described as orderly but tense due to the gravity of the situation. Authorities conducted a thorough search of the Airbus A330, utilizing K9 units trained to detect explosives, to determine whether the threat was credible. After an exhaustive inspection, no suspicious items or devices were found, and the FBI officially deemed the threat non-credible, confirming there was no immediate danger to public safety. One individual was arrested in connection with the incident, though specific details about the suspect or the nature of the threat were not disclosed by authorities.
The evacuation and subsequent investigation caused significant disruption at San Diego International Airport, though operations resumed with minimal delay once the aircraft was cleared. Flight HA15, originally scheduled to depart in the morning, was delayed by approximately five hours before it was permitted to continue its journey to Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Hawaiian Airlines issued a statement emphasizing the priority of passenger and crew safety, noting that the captain’s decision to divert the aircraft aligned with standard security protocols for handling such threats. The airline also expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their swift response and to passengers for their patience during the ordeal.
This incident marks another challenge for Hawaiian Airlines, which has faced other operational disruptions in recent months, including an emergency landing in Tokyo due to a passenger’s mobile phone fire and an aborted takeoff in Los Angeles caused by a mechanical issue. The bomb threat, while ultimately unsubstantiated, underscores the aviation industry’s ongoing vigilance in addressing security concerns, particularly in the wake of similar incidents, such as a recent bomb threat at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The coordinated response by Hawaiian Airlines and authorities highlights the critical role of preparedness and collaboration in ensuring passenger safety and maintaining public confidence in air travel.