KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Travelers were evacuated from the Kansas City International Airport terminal Sunday due to a potential threat.
Sunday morning, around 11:50 a.m., the Kansas City Aviation Department was made aware of a potential device inside the airport terminal as well as in the parking garage.
The FBI, airport police and other law enforcement officers worked to "quickly evaluate the situation and ensure the safety of everyone," which meant travelers were evacuated from the terminal.
Additionally, inbound flights were held on the taxiway away from gates due to the potential threat, per the aviation department.
Once law enforcement was able to determine "no credible threat to the airport or those inside the terminal," the evacuation was lifted.
Normal operations resumed around two hours after the evacuation was initiated.
However, the parking garage remained closed for several hours, opening around 6 p.m.
The aviation department said a vehicle on the top floor was identified as suspicious during a sweep by K-9 units, so the KCPD Bomb and Arson Unit was called in to investigate.
Once Bomb and Arson investigated the vehicle, it was determined there was no credible threat.
"As always, the KCAD and FBI encourage anyone who becomes aware of anything suspicious or concerning to report that to law enforcement," the aviation department said in a statement.
KSHB 41's Ryan Gamboa and Lauren Schwentker went to the scene.
Schwentker spoke with travelers and drivers who were caught off guard by the situation.
One woman said she had to contact Uber because she could not drop her passenger off at the terminal.
Other travelers told Gamboa they had to wait up to three hours to access their vehicles in the parking garage.
Several flights were diverted due to the evacuation.
Southwest Airlines confirmed four flights bound for Kansas City were diverted. Those flights stopped at Denver, St. Louis and Wichita until operations resumed at KCI.
"Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its Customers and Employees," a Southwest spokesperson said in a statement.
Traffic around the airport was also impacted due to the incident. Interstate 29 northbound to Interstate 435 eastbound/the KCI exit ramp was closed for a time, per the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Several top U.S. officials commented on the situation on X.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the threat was "reviewed and deemed not to be credible."
"Threats like these are a federal crime," Patel posted on X. "FBI and law enforcement partners will fully investigate and bring to justice anyone responsible."
In another X post, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy thanked law enforcement, including the FBI, for their "timely response."
"The safety of passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority," Duffy said.
A similar incident unfolded at KCI on Dec. 31, 2025. Travelers were evacuated due to a "potential threat in the unsecured area" of the airport.
Ultimately, law enforcement determined there was "no credible threat to the airport or those inside the terminal" in the New Year's Eve incident.
This story will be updated as information is available.
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