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The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating an alleged false bomb threat made by a Frontier Airlines passenger shortly after the Frontier Airlines flight arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Sunday, March 29th.
Frontier Flight 2539 departed John Glenn Columbus International Airport at 2:38 p.m. and landed at Atlanta Airport at 5:09 p.m., according to FlightAware. A passenger made a “verbal bomb threat” as the Frontier plane was driving toward its designated gate, an airline spokesperson told USA TODAY.
“As a precautionary measure and in coordination with local authorities, the aircraft was parked in a remote location while law enforcement responded,” Frontier News said. The Denver-based airline added that the threat was determined not to be credible and the passengers were deplaned via air stairs and taken to the terminal by bus.
There were no reports of injuries. A spokesperson for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said airport operations are normal.
According to the FBI, federal authorities and Atlanta police responded to the incident.
“The FBI can assure the traveling public that there is no continuing threat related to this incident,” the bureau said in a statement. An investigation is currently underway and authorities are conducting interviews. The FBI will consult with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia to determine whether to file federal charges.
USA TODAY has contacted Atlanta police for additional information. The FAA declined to comment, deferring to local law enforcement and airlines.
A man aboard a JetBlue flight that took off from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Broward County, Florida, earlier this month was detained on suspicion of making a bomb threat, local news outlets WSVN and WPLG reported.
Contributor: Julia Gomez, USA TODAY
