FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 17, 2020
CONTACT: Eland Conway; eland.conway@alaska.gov; 907.266.2694
(Anchorage) – At approximately 9:05 p.m. yesterday – Wednesday, Dec. 16 – the ANC Airport Communications Center received a phone call stating the caller had placed a bomb in the South Terminal in the area of the Alaska Airlines ticket lobby.
Anchorage Airport Police Officers responded to the area, and positively identified the bag based on the caller’s description.
Occupants of the terminal were quickly moved to a safe distance away from the bag. At approximately 9:10 p.m. Anchorage Airport Police located the suspect who identified himself, and took him into custody.
Airport Bomb Squad members were on scene immediately. The Anchorage Bomb Squad robot was deployed—by midnight the suspected explosive device was determined to be safe, and ANC resumed normal operations.
Flights operated by Alaska Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Grant Aviation were delayed. Arriving flights were diverted to the North Terminal to deplane, and access to the South Terminal was restricted.
The suspect, whose name is not being released at this time, was charged with Terroristic Threatening, and Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance.
This is an ongoing investigation and Airport Police are working closely with the FBI. No other details are being released at this time.
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About Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Alaska DOT&PF
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is an important gateway to the city of Anchorage and the State of Alaska. More than 5 million passengers fly through ANC annually. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is responsible for approximately 22,080 airport & community jobs, earning $1 billion. That’s 1 in 10 jobs in Anchorage.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 10 ferries serving 35 communities, more than 5,600 miles of highway and 776 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”
