For a tense stretch on Friday, planes were not going anywhere at Lakeland Linder International Airport after a reported threat forced a sudden pause in operations before authorities cleared the scene and reopened the airfield.
Official response
According to Tampa Bay 28, the Lakeland Police Department said in a release that “all airport operations are currently suspended” as officers responded to the threat. Police later said the airport had reopened, and authorities continued their investigation into the incident.
During the response, officials urged people to avoid the area while officers worked to secure and clear the airport.
About Lakeland Linder
Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) is the city’s public-use airport, handling scheduled passenger service along with general aviation flights for the broader Tampa Bay region. The airport’s website notes that it supports both commercial service and cargo operations serving Polk County and surrounding communities.
Travelers: what to do
Passengers with flights scheduled at LAL are advised to check directly with their airline and the airport for the latest status on departures and arrivals. Live flight tracking and real-time arrival and departure information are available on FlightAware as well as the airport’s own website.
Officials have not released further details. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
