2 men arrested after reports of a possible in-flight bomb aimed at Houston, officials say

HOUSTON – A United flight to Houston was diverted to Alexandria International Airport after notification of a possible explosive device on board, according to the Rapides parish sheriff’s office.

At 12:24 p.m., the sheriff’s office received a call of an incoming plane emergency reported, officials said.

According to deputies, the flight flew from Jackson, Mississippi to Houston, before being diverted to Louisiana. The aircraft landed safely and the passengers were degraded, according to deputies.

According to The Associated Press, a passenger, Megann Cox, told KALB-TV they were on the air when the flight crew announced they would make an unexpected stop in Alexandria. He said the plane was sitting on the tarmac with the electricity off, including air circulation.

“They didn’t offer us any explanation until about 30 minutes, that there was a customer service issue and they had to fix it,” he said.

England’s Airpark fire department, Rapides parish Sherriff’s office, the TSA, the Acadian ambulance and the FBI responded to the scene. RPSO Bomb Squad along with local agents with the FBI also responded to the scene to aid the investigation.

Deputies said two interested people were arrested.

United Airlines said it is booking passengers as soon as possible.

The New Orleans FBI issued the following statement:

“The FBI in New Orleans is aware of the incident that occurred today at Alexandria Airport, LA. Through a coordinated effort involving our police partners, specifically the Louisiana State Police, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Advocacy for the Western District of Louisiana, the Rapides Parish National Security, the Rapides Parish District Attorney and the England Airpark Authority are grateful to report that there was no threat to public safety and that all diverted airline passengers have proceeded to their destination “.

United Airlines issued the following written statement:

“CommutAir Flight 4344, which operated as United Express from Jackson, Mississippi to Houston, was diverted to Alexandria, Louisiana, due to a customer-related safety issue. The flight landed safely and was attended to by local authorities who are investigating the matter later.

This is a developing story.