An apparent bomb threat made in connection with a trans-Atlantic flight forced a US Airways plane to make an emergency landing in Philadelphia.
The flight from Shannon, Ireland, landed yesterday afternoon in an isolated part of Philadelphia International Airport, where it was met by law enforcement officials and emergency personnel.
Passengers left the aircraft by the stairs and were taken to the terminal by bus but were then isolated and re-screened, a Philadelphia police department spokeswoman told the Daily Mail.
The airplane was searched with bomb-sniffing dogs.
Police and airport officials did not disclose any specifics about the apparent threat or details about from where it may have originated.
The plane, which had 171 passengers and eight crew members aboard, was supposed to continue to Pittsburgh after its scheduled stop in Philadelphia.
In a statement released by US Airways, airline officials said that they were aware of ‘a possible security issue with the flight and out of an abundance of caution’ taxied the craft to a remote part of the tarmac.
NBC Philadelphia reported that the emergency caused temporary delays on all incoming flights at the Philadelphia airport.
