A United Airlines flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles was diverted back to Honolulu on Tuesday night due to a potential security issue. The flight, United Airlines 1169, took off from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport around 9:40 PM Hawaii Standard Time. About an hour and a half into the flight, the crew decided to return to the airport.
Upon landing, police conducted a thorough search of the Boeing 777, which was carrying 339 passengers and 10 crew members. However, the airline did not disclose what, if anything, was found during the search.
Passengers reported waiting on the tarmac for about four hours as law enforcement and dogs screened everyone on board. One passenger, Kouhei Massey, shared that someone had written on the bathroom mirror that there was a bomb on the plane.
In response to the incident, United Airlines announced they would rebook affected customers on another flight to Los Angeles that was scheduled to depart later that evening. The Federal Aviation Administration was contacted for comment but did not respond.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about air travel security, especially as the summer travel season approaches. Passengers are reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.