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Illegal migrant arrested for threatening to bomb United Airlines flight to New Orleans before rushing cockpit
A 34-year-old man was arrested after allegedly threatening to bomb a United Airlines flight bound for New Orleans and trying to reach the cockpit. The aircraft landed safely, and the incident prompted a hijack alert.
Authorities identified the man as Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, whom US immigration officials say is from Honduras and had previously been deported twice. The flight left Newark at 9.27pm on Monday and arrived in New Orleans at 11.16pm local time, carrying 49 passengers and six crew. He was booked on charges related to communicating false information about planned arson and terrorising, and is being held without bail.
In short
- A passenger allegedly threatened to bomb a flight to New Orleans.
- The crew reported an attempted cockpit breach.
- All 49 passengers and six crew members landed safely.
Explained simply
Airlines use security procedures to protect passengers and crew, including keeping cockpit doors secured during a flight. A threat involving a bomb or an attempt to enter the cockpit can prompt a hijack alert, which allows authorities to respond as if an aircraft may be under threat.
United Airlines is a US carrier, and Newark is an airport in New Jersey serving the New York area; New Orleans is in Louisiana. US immigration officials handle the enforcement of immigration rules, while local authorities investigate alleged crimes and decide whether charges can proceed.