HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- No security threat was found on a New York City-bound JetBlue flight that was forced to land at Richmond International Airport on Thursday night.
"JetBlue flight 1320 with service from Atlanta (ATL) to New York (JFK) was diverted to Richmond, Virginia (RIC) as a result of a possible security threat," a spokesperson for the airline confirmed on Friday morning. "The flight was met by law enforcement, customers were deplaned and a security rescreening will take place before the flight continues to New York. The safety of our customers and crewmembers is JetBlue’s first priority, and further inquiries should be directed to law enforcement."
The flight took off from Atlanta just before 7:10 p.m. on Thursday and was scheduled to land at JFK Airport around 9:15 p.m. The plane landed at RIC just before 8:20 p.m., according to a flight tracking website.
While no security threat was found, according to a RIC spokesperson, the New York-bound passengers remained in Richmond overnight and into Friday morning.
"The crew 'timed out,'" according to the airport spokesperson. "Passengers were accommodated in local hotel rooms and the flight is expected to resume later today."
Flights crews are only allowed to work a certain amount of hours per day before a mandated break must be taken.
There was a heavy police presence at Richmond International Airport after the JetBlue flight landed Thursday night, according to officials. Video from the scene showed law enforcement surrounding a plane on the tarmac as of 11 p.m.
Henrico Police were called to the airport for a bomb threat, Crime Insider sources told Jon Burkett.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip. If you see breaking news, and can do so safely, shoot a photo or video and send it to CBS 6. You can also upload photos to our Facebook page or email pics@wtvr.com from your phone.
