...
By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Portions of Kansas City International Airport (KCI) were evacuated Sunday afternoon after authorities received word of a potential threat, sending roughly 2,000 passengers onto the tarmac as the FBI rushed to the scene.
The Kansas City Aviation Department confirmed the evacuation to Newsweek, and airport spokesperson Jackson Overstreet said the entire terminal was cleared after the threat was first reported at 11:15 a.m. local time.
The Context
The evacuation of a major American airport on a Sunday — one of the busiest travel days of the week — disrupted thousands of passengers mid-journey and triggered a federal law enforcement response. With flights being held on the taxiway and the full terminal cleared, the incident highlights the sweeping impact even an unconfirmed threat can have on air travel operations.
Read More on News
What To Know
Authorities say the threat was reported Sunday morning and that the entire terminal was subsequently evacuated. Flights that had already landed were being held on the taxiway, preventing passengers from deplaning.
The roughly 2,000 people inside the terminal were ushered out onto the tarmac as authorities began their investigation.
In a statement to Newsweek, the Kansas City Aviation Department said: "The Kansas City Aviation Department is aware of a situation at Kansas City International Airport. As a precaution, the department has evacuated sections of the Airport Terminal. Airport Police are working with the FBI to substantiate any potential threat."
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later announced on X that the incident had been resolved and normal operations were resuming.
What People Are Saying
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, via X: "The security incident at @Fly_KansasCity is now clear and normal operations are resuming. 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."
Kansas City International Airport, via X: "The Kansas City Aviation Department is aware of a situation at Kansas City International Airport (MCI). As a precaution, the department has evacuated sections of the Airport Terminal. Airport Police are working with the FBI to substantiate any potential threat. Updates to follow."
FBI spokesperson Dixon Land told The Associated Press that the: “FBI is aware of the incident and our personnel are working with airport and law enforcement officials to determine the credibility of the threat.”
Logan Hawley, a passenger at KCI, told the AP: "Suddenly there was an airport worker saying ‘immediately evacuate,’ people got up fast and rushed out of there."
...
What Happens Next
The airport is resuming normal operations following the all-clear, though passengers who were held on the tarmac or on the taxiway may face delays as the terminal returns to full capacity.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
Update 3/8/26, 3:06 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 3/8/26, 3:44 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines