On March 17, 2023, shortly after 8 o’clock, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 landed at Palermo Airport (PMO), in Sicily, Italy, where passengers and personnel were told to disembark.
Reports state that the alarm was triggered as the aircraft touched down after taking off from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) earlier in the day.
Emergency services and bomb specialists rushed to the scene and the airspace around the airport was promptly closed.
Several aircraft from Milan, Florence, and Budapest were diverted to Catania-Fontanarossa, Sicily’s other main airport (CTA).
The event was given the all-clear and the airport was able to resume accepting aircraft after bomb experts examined the plane.
According to local media, there was a suspicious luggage aboard the plane, which prompted worries.
The company that manages the Falcone e Borsellino airport tweeted: “The following flights were diverted to Catania airport: VY6922/6923 FLR/PMO/FLR 20:55 to 21:40; AZ1793/1790 LIN/PMO/LIN 20.35 – 21.20 FR2020/2021 BUD/PMO/BUD 20.50 – 21.15”.
