Spokane International Airport experienced a slight operation shutdown on Wednesday after an Alaska Airlines flight was forced to divert following a bomb threat from a first class passenger. While there have been several wild excuses previously given as to why such passengers would even think of spilling threats, this particular passenger claims he thought cartel members would kill him.

Anywhere but Seattle

In case you've missed all the action, the eventful flight in question was Alaska Airlines flight AS 334, initially scheduled to ferry passengers from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Wednesday, July 5th. Operating the flight was one of the airline's Boeing 737 MAX 9 registered N948AK.

All was relatively routine onboard the narrowbody until one first class passenger handed a flight attendant a lengthy note written on a receipt. This peculiar note alarmed the flight attendant, as according to court documents, the threatening note read:

"This is not a joke. Several pounds of homemade explosives are in my carry-on bag. I have a detonator with me. Handle this matter carefully and exactly how I say, otherwise I will detonate the explosives and kill everyone onboard. Many innocent lives are in your hands."

The passenger's note also demanded the aircraft be rerouted to any other airport and further instructed the flight attendant to alert the flight crew and air traffic controllers but keep the threat from other flight attendants and passengers onboard the aircraft. Should the flight attendant deviate from these demands, the note highlighted that the consequences would be deadly.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

And in closing, the note also emphasized the passenger would surrender willingly and peacefully upon arrival at whichever destination the flight crew would reroute to. The note ended with:

"Once we have rerouted I expect an announcement. That way I know my demand have been met. Pretend there is some sort of equipment problems or whatever you have to do. Just get this plane rerouted. Failure to comply will cost the lives of everyone on this plane. I have nothing left to lose."

A false alarm

The threatened flight was eventually rerouted to Spokane International Airport, where it was taxied to a remote location, and all passengers were quickly disembarked and temporarily housed in a nearby fire station. A bomb squad was deployed, but no explosives were found on the Boeing narrowbody, the first class passenger, and his belongings.

Law enforcement agents immediately arrested him, and federal special agents questioned him. During the interrogation, the passenger claimed that the Sinaloa Cartel was targeting him. If he were to arrive in Seattle, the passenger was certain that cartel members were undoubtedly waiting for him to kidnap him before torturing and killing him.

Fearing for his life if the aircraft were to land in Seattle as scheduled, the passenger felt that faking a bomb threat onboard and being arrested was his only way of escaping the cartel. He insisted on considering other forms of diverting the flight, such as assaulting a flight attendant or opening the aircraft door, but felt that a bomb threat was the most effective method.

An inconvenience for others

For all his efforts, the passenger eventually got what he hoped for from this ordeal, as he is currently in the custody of the US marshals. He made his initial appearance in federal court on Thursday in Spokane after being charged with a false information or hoax charge, and his next court date is scheduled with a preliminary hearing on July 19th.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a possible fine not exceeding $250,000. Unfortunately, the passenger's wildly selfish wants came at a tremendous traumatic expense for his fellow passengers. It was also quite an unwanted inconvenience for the flight and cabin crew, all involved authorities, and Spokane International Airport, which had to shut down its runways as a safety measure.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

And sadly, this incident also comes less than three months after another Alaska Airlines flight was forced to divert when a female passenger became disruptive and threatened to kill a flight attendant. Initially bound for Chicago O'Hare International Airport, that incidental flight was ultimately diverted to Kansas City International Airport.