A tense situation unfolded mid-air on a routine easyJet flight from London Luton to Glasgow on Sunday, 27 July 2025, after a passenger began shouting bomb threats and religious slogans, triggering fear among travellers. The flight, EZY609, was eventually met by police upon arrival at Glasgow Airport.
According to multiple video clips shared online, a 41-year-old man began yelling “Death to America, Death to Trump, Allahu Akbar,” and even called for a bomb to be found on the aircraft. The outburst prompted swift action from fellow passengers, one of whom tackled the man to the ground, while another helped restrain him until the flight landed.
The outcry also sparked frantic concern among other travellers, with audible voices asking, “Does he have his phone?” and “Check everywhere, not just his pockets, check his body.” A woman can be heard urging others to remain thorough while a man demanded, “Why did you say you wanted to bomb this plane?”
Passengers retrieved the suspect’s wallet and ID as part of their attempt to help identify him and maintain safety until law enforcement intervened.
Police and Counter-Terror Response
Police Scotland confirmed they were alerted to the in-flight incident and arrested the man upon landing at approximately 8:20am. A statement issued noted that the man has since been charged and is expected to appear in Paisley Sheriff Court.
Authorities added, “We believe the incident to be contained and that nobody else was involved. We are aware of videos circulating online and these are being assessed by counter-terrorism officers.”
In footage showing the man being detained, an officer is heard asking if he will remain calm, to which he responds affirmatively. However, when the man requested his phone and wallet back, angry passengers responded with verbal expletives, clearly unsettled by the scare.
EasyJet Commends Crew’s Response
A spokesperson from easyJet reassured the public that safety remains their top concern, stating: “Flight EZY609 from Luton to Glasgow this morning was met by police on arrival… due to a passenger’s behaviour onboard.”
“Our crew are trained to assess all situations and act quickly and appropriately to ensure the safety of the flight and other customers is not compromised. The safety and well-being of our customers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority.”
Terror-Related Air Travel Incidents a Growing Concern
This incident has sparked fresh debate on airline safety and the psychological toll on both passengers and crew when mid-air disruptions occur. While the suspect acted alone, counter-terrorism officers are reportedly combing through the evidence, including videos, to determine if there was any broader intent.
With Singaporeans frequently travelling via budget airlines like easyJet across Europe, this serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance. In light of heightened global security threats, the aviation industry is once again on alert to ensure such isolated cases do not pose broader risks to public safety.