Air traffic at Stuttgart Airport was temporarily suspended on Monday due to a police operation after a man claimed to be carrying a bomb. The incident occurred when a 24-year-old man told an airport employee that he was carrying a bomb in his luggage following a security check. This led to the Federal Police evacuating the terminals in the security area and suspending all arrivals and departures.
The suspension of air traffic lasted for around an hour and a half, between 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm local time. During this time, the airport's security area was evacuated, and a search of the affected area was conducted. The measures were lifted shortly afterwards when the search ruled out any actual threat. The 24-year-old man was barred from boarding his flight to Hurghada in Egypt.
Preliminary investigations have been launched against the 24-year-old man on suspicion of disturbing the peace by making threats of criminal offences. He has since been released. The incident affected almost 30 flights and around 3,000 people. Nine flights had to be cancelled entirely, while a further nine flights were diverted, mainly via Nuremberg Airport and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport.
In addition to the cancelled and diverted flights, 11 flights experienced delays of up to three hours. The airport spokeswoman stated that the evening hours are the peak time at the airport when many flights are scheduled, making disruptions particularly challenging. All passengers had to undergo security screening again due to the evacuation of the security area.
The Federal Police reported that the situation returned to normal after the affected area had been searched and a threat could be ruled out. Air traffic was then gradually resumed, and passenger checks reopened. The incident caused massive traffic chaos and disrupted the journeys of thousands of people.
According to the airport spokeswoman, the disruption in the evening hours made it tough for passengers and airport staff. The incident highlighted the importance of airport security measures and the potential consequences of false bomb threats. The authorities took the threat seriously and took necessary precautions to ensure passenger safety.
The incident at Stuttgart Airport is a reminder of the need for vigilance and cooperation between airport staff, security personnel, and law enforcement agencies to prevent and respond to potential security threats. The authorities' swift response to the incident helped to minimize disruptions and ensure the safety of passengers.
Key points
- Almost 30 flights and around 3,000 people were affected by the security measures at Stuttgart Airport.
- The 24-year-old man who made the bomb threat was barred from boarding his flight to Hurghada in Egypt and released after preliminary investigations.
- Nine flights were cancelled, and a further nine flights were diverted due to the incident at Stuttgart Airport.
