At a Glance
- A Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Barcelona diverted twice after a passenger’s WiFi hotspot read “bomb threat”
- January 15, 2026 flight landed safely after crew followed security protocols
- Authorities found no explosives and cleared the aircraft
- Why it matters: False threats cause major flight disruptions and trigger full emergency responses
A routine Turkish Airlines flight turned into an international security incident when a passenger allegedly named their in-flight WiFi hotspot “bomb threat,” forcing the plane to execute emergency procedures before landing in Barcelona.
The flight, Turkish Airlines 1853, departed Istanbul shortly before 9 a.m. local time on January 15, 2026, bound for Barcelona’s El Prat Airport. As the Airbus A321 neared its destination, flight crews detected the suspicious network name and immediately initiated safety protocols.
Mid-Air Emergency Response
According to Yahya Üstün, Turkish Airlines’ senior vice president of communications, crews discovered the threatening network name as the aircraft approached Barcelona. The plane’s flight path shows it circled twice off Spain’s eastern coast before proceeding to land.
“It was detected that a passenger had set up an in-flight internet access point and configured its network name to include a bomb threat,” Üstün posted on X. “Flight crews subsequently initiated the necessary procedures in accordance with flight safety protocols.”
After landing, Spanish authorities conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft following international aviation security rules. The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed nothing suspicious was found during their search and deactivated the alert.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched an investigation to identify the passenger responsible for the hoax. Üstün stated that “efforts have been initiated to identify the passenger in question and to carry out the legal process.”
The aircraft was cleared to continue operations after the inspection. Turkish Airlines confirmed the plane’s return flight would proceed after completing passenger boarding procedures.
Neither representatives for El Prat Airport nor the Spanish Civil Guard in Barcelona responded to media inquiries about the incident.
Aviation Security Protocols
The incident highlights the strict security measures airlines must follow when potential threats emerge during flights. Even false threats trigger full emergency responses, including:
- Immediate crew notification of authorities
- Aircraft diversion or holding patterns
- Full passenger and baggage screening upon landing
- Aircraft inspection by specialized teams
- Coordination with aviation security agencies
FlightAware data shows Turkish Airlines flight 1853 completed its journey despite the mid-air scare. The airline has not released details about potential consequences for the passenger responsible for the hoax.
Turkish Airlines operates daily service between Istanbul and Barcelona, with flight times averaging about three hours. The route is popular among business travelers and tourists connecting between Turkey and Spain.
Key Takeaways:
- A passenger’s WiFi network name triggered a full security response
- Spanish authorities conducted a complete aircraft inspection
- No explosives were found and the alert was cleared
- Police are investigating to identify the passenger responsible
- The incident caused flight delays but no injuries or damage
