Bomb Threat Triggers Shutdown At Major U.S. Airport, Forces Passengers Onto Tarmac

FBI agents and airport police worked together to investigate after an unspecified threat caused officials to evacuate sections of Kansas City International Airport in Missouri on Sunday morning.

According to multiple reports, hundreds of passengers were evacuated onto the tarmac as investigators closed one terminal, out of “an abundance of caution,” and diverted several flights, leaving others — who landed after the threat was received — stranded on the taxiway until they were given the all-clear.

???? BREAKING: Kansas City International Airport is being EVACUATED of all travelers and workers due to a “SERIOUS INCIDENT”

Initial reports are of a credible bomb threat to the airport.

All planes have been halted and a sweep is underway pic.twitter.com/QOZWFSa8bL

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 8, 2026

The threat, according to reports, came in at 11:50 a.m. local time and prompted an immediate and complete evacuation of the terminal. Flights did not resume until after 2 p.m. In the interim, airport police and FBI agents conducted sweeps of the terminal.

Passenger Logan Hawley told reporters that he had been preparing to board a flight to Texas when law enforcement swarmed the terminal: “Suddenly there was an airport worker saying ‘immediately evacuate,’ people got up fast and rushed out of there.”

Highway traffic near the airport also faced delays as the Missouri Department of Transportation confirmed temporary road closures at Interstate 29 northbound to Interstate 435 eastbound and the KCI exit ramp.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the all-clear shortly after 2 p.m. CST, posting on X that the airport would be returning to business as usual. He did not give any details as to the nature of the threat or its resolution.

“The security incident at @Fly_KansasCity is now clear and normal operations are resuming,” he said. “I want to thank law enforcement including the @FBI for their timely response. The safety of passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority @FAANews.”