Man Arrested After Allegedly Calling in Fake Bomb Threat Over Missed Spirit Airlines Flight

A photo of the Spirit Airlines flight that was deplaned

A Michigan man was arrested after allegedly making a fake bomb threat in frustration over missing his Spirit Airlines flight from Detroit to Los Angeles. The incident caused hours-long delays and prompted an emergency response involving bomb-sniffing dogs and federal agents.

Charles Robinson, 23, was scheduled to fly from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Los Angeles on Thursday, June 5, but missed his flight and was told at the gate that he needed to rebook. Authorities say Robinson then called Spirit Airlines at approximately 6:25 a.m., claiming he had information that someone was planning to “blow up the airport” and target Spirit Airlines flight 2145.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Robinson told the airline that the individual would be "carrying a bomb through the TSA" and claimed the device would not be detected. He urged the airline not to let the flight board.

Following the alarming call, the flight was immediately postponed, and all passengers and crew were deplaned. The aircraft was moved to a remote location while the FBI and bomb-sniffing dogs conducted a full sweep. No explosives were found on board.

The threat caused significant disruption. Passengers were held on the plane for approximately three hours before being asked to disembark without their belongings. They were taken back to the terminal and waited another two hours while authorities completed their inspection and rescreening procedures. The flight was eventually cleared and allowed to depart for Los Angeles.

Joci Moore, a passenger on the flight, recalled the unsettling experience, stating that the plane had just begun to taxi when the captain announced a delay due to an issue at the gate. “You could just kind of feel something was wrong, but we didn’t really know what was wrong,” she said.

Robinson returned to the airport later that day to board a different flight but was detained by authorities. He has since appeared in federal court and was released on bond. His next court date is scheduled for June 27.

“No American wants to hear the words ‘bomb’ and ‘airplane’ in the same sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon. “Making this kind of threat undermines our collective sense of security and wastes valuable law enforcement resources.”

Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, emphasized that such threats are taken seriously. “Anyone who threatens to bomb an aircraft and endanger public safety will be swiftly investigated and brought to justice.”

Spirit Airlines confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft was moved to a remote location as a precaution. “Guests were safely deplaned and transported back to the terminal,” a spokesperson said. “The aircraft was inspected and cleared by law enforcement before continuing to Los Angeles. The safety of our guests and team members is our top priority.”

The FBI continues to investigate the incident.