An Avelo Airlines passenger is facing the possibility of up to 15 years in jail after saying he had placed a bomb under the aircraft he was on.
Kenneth Lee Szogas, 62, was charged on August 31, 2023, with disorderly conduct and threatening to place a destructive device.
According to court documents, Szogas arrived at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) in Florida, United States (US) and while disembarking he told another passenger about the bomb.
The passenger immediately informed a gate agent and Szogas was promptly arrested by Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office deputy.
Mycbs4 reported that Szogas was transferred to jail later that evening and released on a bond for $26,000.
If convicted, as well as a long prison sentence, Szogas could face a fine of thousands of dollars.
Although the consequences of a bomb threat while travelling on a plane are well-known, cases of passengers making them are all too common.
On July 5, 2023, Alaska Airlines Flight 334 from Atlanta to Seattle was diverted to Spokane International Airport (GEG) following a bomb threat made by a passenger on board.
The passenger, identified as 38-year-old Brandon Scott from Kentucky, was detained upon landing and now faces federal charges.
And in August 2023, armed police were deployed to Nottingham East Midlands Airport (EMA) in the United Kingdom (UK) after a passenger on a Boeing 737-800 stated he was in possession of an explosive device.