Kansas City Airport lockdown triggered by device threat over the phone

Authorities in the US have confirmed that a lockdown at Kansas City International Airport (MCI) was triggered after a phone call was received about a potential device in the terminal.

On March 9, 2026, hundreds of passengers were seen leaving the airport with their luggage and gathering on a nearby road as the FBI and law enforcement partners swept the terminal and parking garage searching for a potential threat.

The Kansas City Aviation Department (KCAD) confirmed that sections of the airport were evacuated, and inbound flights were held on the taxiway away from the main building.

During the investigation, police were alerted by specially trained dogs to a vehicle on the top floor of the parking garage and in line with protocol the KCAD bomb and arson unit were deployed – no device was found.

After a two-hour investigation, Kansas City Airport reopened with authorities determining there was no credible threat. The parking garage was cordoned off for an additional three hours.

BREAKING: Kansas City International Airport is being EVACUATED of all travelers and workers due to a “SERIOUS INCIDENT”Initial reports are of a credible bomb threat to the airport.All planes have been halted and a sweep is underway pic.twitter.com/QOZWFSa8bL— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 8, 2026 “The FBI and our law enforcement partners quickly responded to the scene and secured the area. The threat was reviewed and determined not to be credible. Terminal has been swept, cleared, and normal operations resumed. Thank you to our federal partners at @USDOT and @SecDuffy for the coordination and quick response,” said FBI Director Kash Patel.

He added: “Threats like these are a federal crime. FBI and law enforcement partners will fully investigate and bring to justice anyone responsible.”

The Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy also confirmed that the security incident at Kansas City Airport was “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 at the FAA,” said Secretary Duffy.

Following the incident, FlightRadar24 placed the average delay time for flights leaving Kansas City Airport at around 70 minutes.

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