An incident involving Allegiant Flight 1023 led to a disturbance onboard while the aircraft was en route to Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport in Virginia from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport on Sunday afternoon. Shortly after 2 p.m., the situation escalated when two passengers engaged in a heated verbal argument. One passenger alarmingly claimed to possess a bomb, prompting the flight crew to take immediate action and return to PIE.
In response to the disruption, law enforcement personnel were waiting upon landing to take the vocal passenger into custody. An Allegiant spokesperson emphasized the airline’s zero-tolerance policy toward disruptive behavior, saying, “Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind.”
Following the incident, all passengers were instructed to deplane as the crew reached their FAA-mandated duty limits. Efforts were made to re-crew the flight before resuming its journey. The airline expressed its apologies for the inconvenience caused to those onboard, stating, “Once that is done, the flight will continue to its destination.”
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries as a result of the altercation, allowing passengers to feel relieved despite the distressing situation. Allegiant has taken appropriate measures to address passenger safety and the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining decorum during flights.