A 41-year-old man has been charged following a terrifying incident aboard an easyJet flight from London Luton to Glasgow, where passengers subdued him after he repeatedly shouted “Allah Akbar” and claimed to have a bomb, prompting counter-terrorism officers to investigate the disturbing footage.
Flight EZY609 was approaching Glasgow Airport at approximately 8.20am on Sunday when the man emerged from the aircraft toilet with his hands raised, shouting the Arabic phrase meaning “God is the greatest” before claiming he had a bomb and issuing death threats against America and President Donald Trump, who is currently visiting Scotland.
In dramatic scenes captured on video and now being assessed by Police Scotland’s counter-terrorism unit, a hero passenger from row 21 immediately tackled the suspect to the ground whilst another man helped restrain him, with one firmly instructing: “Sit down, don’t move.”
The footage shows panicked passengers frantically searching the man’s belongings whilst cabin crew announced the plane would be “landing very shortly. One nervous woman could be heard saying “Check everywhere, not just his pockets, check his body” as others questioned whether he had been drinking or taking drugs.
Why did you say you wanted to bomb this plane?” one passenger demanded during the tense confrontation, whilst others located the man’s bag and searched for his identification documents. A distressed woman was filmed taking an emotional phone call with a loved one as the reality of the situation sank in.
Upon landing at Glasgow Airport, police officers boarded the aircraft and arrested the man, who remained lying in the aisle. When asked by an officer “You’re calm now, are you going to be calm when I stand you up?”, the suspect replied “I’m calm now.”
As officers escorted him from the plane, the man asked for his “phone and wallet”, receiving a cold response from passengers who told him to “f*** off”. Some managed to find humour in the situation, with one passenger remarking “it is like a comedy sketch” at the audacity of his request.
Police Scotland confirmed the 41-year-old man has been arrested and charged and is due to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday, 28 July 2025. A spokesperson stated: “We were called to a report of a man causing a disturbance on a flight arriving into Glasgow around 8.20am on Sunday 27 July 2025.
“We believe the incident to be contained and that nobody else was involved. We are aware of videos circulating online and these are being assessed by counter terrorism officers,” the statement added, confirming the serious nature of the investigation.
One eyewitness told reporters: “He literally came out of the toilet shouting ‘Allahu akbar’ with his hands above his head. Then he said ‘I’ve got a bomb, I’ve got a bomb’ – at this point people were confused. I thought he was joking, I mean it’s a weird joke.”
The witness described how the situation escalated when the suspect began shouting “Stop the plane. Find the bomb on the plane. Death to America. Death to Trump” before passengers intervened to prevent potential catastrophe.
Another passenger recalled: “He pushed the airline staff and was being aggressive towards them. He was a big guy, about six foot and they were these petite women. When he pushed them, that’s when things changed.”
An easyJet spokesperson praised the swift response of their crew, stating: “Flight EZY609 from Luton to Glasgow this morning was met by police on arrival in Glasgow, where they boarded the aircraft and removed a passenger due to their behaviour onboard.
“easyJet’s crew are trained to assess all situations and act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other customers are not compromised at any time. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority,” the airline confirmed.
The incident occurred during a period of heightened security in Scotland as President Trump undertakes a five-day visit to his two golf resorts at Turnberry and Aberdeenshire. The President arrived on Friday for what the White House described as a “working visit” including trade talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Sources suggest the suspect may have been attempting to “send a message” to Trump, who is visiting his late mother’s homeland and opening a new golf course named after Mary Anne MacLeod at his Aberdeen property. Police have implemented extensive security measures during the presidential visit, with officers from forces across the UK deployed to support Police Scotland.
The timing of the incident has raised concerns about security protocols, particularly given Trump’s presence in Scotland. The President’s trip has already sparked protests in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, with demonstrators gathering outside the US consulate and near his golf properties.
Aviation security experts praised the quick thinking of passengers who intervened, potentially preventing a more serious incident. The fact that the aircraft was just minutes from landing when the disturbance began may have limited the potential for escalation, though the psychological impact on those aboard was significant.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about aviation security and the threat of terrorism, with counter-terrorism officers now conducting a thorough investigation into the suspect’s background and motivations. The man’s court appearance on Monday is expected to reveal more details about the charges he faces.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vigilance required in modern air travel and the crucial role passengers can play in maintaining security when faced with potential threats. The heroic actions of those who subdued the suspect undoubtedly prevented what could have been a far more serious situation.
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