A dramatic mid-air scare unfolded aboard an easyJet flight on Sunday morning when a man claimed he had a bomb, forcing the aircraft into an emergency landing at Glasgow Airport.
The Luton-to-Glasgow flight had just passed the one-hour mark when passengers say the man, believed to be 41 years old, emerged from the rear toilet shouting “Allahu Akbar” and “I’ve got a bomb.”
Chaos ensued as panicked passengers attempted to comprehend the situation. Witnesses said he then became aggressive toward the cabin crew, prompting fellow travellers to intervene.
Three quick-thinking passengers tackled and restrained the man, pinning him to the aisle floor as crew scrambled to check his belongings. No explosive device was found.
Despite the threat turning out to be a hoax, the pilot initiated an emergency landing and brought the plane down rapidly at its original destination of Glasgow.
Mobile phone footage captured the intense moments onboard, showing crew members in distress but acting swiftly. “The staff were visibly shaken but stayed incredibly professional,” said a passenger who filmed the incident.
The suspect, described as an Indian national carrying refugee documents, reportedly told passengers he wanted to “send a message to Trump,” referencing the U.S. president’s visit to Scotland.
Police boarded the aircraft minutes after landing and arrested the man without further incident. He remains in custody as investigations continue.
“easyJet’s crew are trained to assess all situations and act quickly,” the airline said in a statement. “The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority.”
Police Scotland confirmed the arrest, adding that enquiries are ongoing. Passengers involved were later interviewed by authorities before disembarking.
