Panic aboard London-to-Glasgow flight as passenger claims to have explosive; incident linked to Trump’s Scotland visit
A routine EasyJet flight from London Luton to Glasgow Airport was abruptly diverted and forced to make an emergency landing on Sunday, after a passenger stood up mid-flight and shouted bomb threats along with political slogans targeting former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Eyewitness videos circulating on social media show a man loudly proclaiming, “I’ve got a bomb!” and yelling “Death to America, death to Trump!” before invoking “Allahu Akbar” — the Arabic phrase meaning “God is great.”
The disturbance prompted immediate intervention from fellow passengers, who tackled the man to the floor and restrained him until the plane could safely land.
Chaos at 30,000 Feet
The flight, which departed Luton on the afternoon of July 27, was nearing Scottish airspace when the suspect allegedly began shouting threats. In the footage, one passenger can be heard confronting the man:
“Why are you saying you’re going to bomb this plane?”
The suspect responds:
“Because I want to send a message to Trump.”
The situation quickly escalated from confusion to fear, according to several on-board accounts. A group of passengers physically subdued the man, pinning him to the aisle floor. Flight crew and others then helped restrain him using makeshift ties until the plane could divert.
Authorities have not confirmed the exact airport the flight was diverted to, but sources suggest it may have landed under emergency protocols in Prestwick, south of Glasgow.
Arrest and Charges
Police Scotland confirmed that a male passenger was arrested upon landing and has since been charged in connection with the incident. He remains in custody and is expected to appear in court later this week.
“Officers responded to reports of a disturbance on board an incoming flight to Glasgow on Sunday afternoon,” Police Scotland said in a statement. “A man has been arrested and charged. There is no ongoing threat to the public.”
No injuries were reported, and the remainder of the passengers were safely deplaned and rebooked.
Political Motive Linked to Trump’s Visit
The suspect’s outburst came during a high-profile visit by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who arrived in Aberdeen over the weekend for a mixture of personal and political engagements.
Trump, who owns the Turnberry golf resort in South Ayrshire and a course in Aberdeenshire, has been making appearances in Scotland amid growing speculation about a potential 2028 run for the U.S. presidency. He is also expected to meet with right-wing leaders across Europe during his visit.
It is unclear whether the suspect had any prior criminal record or known affiliations, but authorities say they are investigating whether the remarks were motivated by political ideology, mental health issues, or both.
Airline and Aviation Response
EasyJet, the airline involved, issued a statement late Sunday night:
“We can confirm that flight EZY7291 from Luton to Glasgow was met by police upon landing due to a passenger behaving disruptively. The safety of passengers and crew is our highest priority, and we would like to thank those on board for their cooperation and support.”
The airline said it is working with law enforcement and reviewing cockpit and cabin protocols following the incident.
The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and National Air Threat Assessment Centre have both been briefed on the event.
Rising Concerns Around Aviation Security
The mid-air scare has renewed calls to reassess aviation security procedures, particularly concerning passenger screening, onboard de-escalation training, and the handling of politically motivated threats.
Though authorities said there was no physical device found on board, the verbal bomb threat triggered a full-scale aviation threat response — a protocol that typically includes fighter jet escort, airspace lockdowns, and counterterror investigations.
A former UK counter-terrorism officer told Global News:
“Even if no device is involved, verbal threats of this nature — especially ones citing high-profile political figures — must be taken seriously. The margin for error is zero.”
What Happens Next?
The suspect is expected to face charges under UK aviation law, including possible violations of the Aviation Security Act 1982, which criminalises threats made aboard aircraft.
If found guilty, he could face several years in prison, depending on the final charges brought by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Meanwhile, intelligence agencies are reportedly reviewing the man’s digital communications and travel history to determine whether he acted alone or had been radicalised.
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Flight Number | EZY7291 |
| Airline | EasyJet |
| Route | London Luton to Glasgow |
| Incident Date | July 27, 2025 |
| Suspect | Male, identity withheld |
| Nature of Threat | Claimed to have bomb; political motive targeting Trump |
| Outcome | Passenger tackled; no injuries; man arrested |
| Status | Under custody; charged |
Trump Remains Silent — For Now
As of Monday afternoon, neither Trump nor his spokespersons have commented publicly on the incident. Sources close to his team say security has been heightened around his travel schedule within Scotland, which includes private and public appearances through the week.
The U.S. Embassy in London has been informed, and while no American citizens were reported harmed or directly involved in the incident, officials say they are monitoring the situation closely.
