A Turkish Airlines flight made an emergency landing in Barcelona after a passenger created a personal Wi-Fi hotspot named “I have a bomb,” triggering a security response and a thorough aircraft search by Spanish authorities.
The incident occurred on January 15, 2026, as Flight TK1853 was approaching Barcelona-El Prat Airport following a scheduled flight from Istanbul. According to airline officials, the hotspot name was detected onboard, prompting the flight crew to treat the message as a potential bomb threat.
As a precaution, the aircraft was diverted and escorted to a designated area of the airport upon landing. Spanish security forces conducted a full inspection of the aircraft, passenger cabin, and baggage. No explosives or suspicious items were found.
The aircraft involved was an Airbus A321 carrying 148 passengers and seven crew members. All passengers disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.
Turkish Airlines said the emergency procedures followed standard security protocols and were carried out in coordination with Spanish authorities. Yahya Üstün, the airline’s senior vice president of communications, said security teams completed their checks and confirmed there was no threat to the aircraft or passengers.
Authorities are now working to identify the passenger responsible for creating the hotspot. Turkish Airlines said legal action would follow once the individual is identified, noting that false security threats can carry serious legal consequences under Spanish law.
The incident briefly disrupted operations at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, but officials said normal activity resumed shortly after the inspection was completed.
While the threat turned out to be a hoax, any reference to explosives, regardless of how it is delivered, are usually treated by crew and authorities as credible until proven otherwise. Airlines are required to respond immediately to potential threats, including those originating from electronic devices.
The case also highlights how personal technology can unintentionally or deliberately trigger major security responses. In recent years, airlines and regulators have warned passengers that jokes or pranks involving bombs, weapons, or threats can lead to diversions, arrests, and prosecution.
