Gulfport-Biloxi & Stennis airports reopen after evacuations. Here’s what we know

Authorities evacuated Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport and Stennis International Airport on Thursday morning after both received bomb threats, officials said.

Gulfport Police Sgt. Jason Ducre said officials evacuated the Gulfport-Biloxi Airport “out of an abundance of caution” after the threat came in over email. Airport executive director Clay Williams said the terminal reopened about 11:20 a.m.

Stennis Airport Director Austin Jenkins said the Hancock County building received a similar threat about 8 a.m. Thursday. People inside the terminal and airport buildings evacuated while emergency officials investigated. Authorities issued the all clear at Stennis Airport about 10:20 a.m., Jenkins said.

“At this point, there’s no credibility to the threat” at Stennis Airport, Jenkins said.

The Mississippi Coast threats were two of several around the state. It is unclear the exact number of airports affected, but airports in Tupelo, Laurel and Hattiesburg also received bomb threats, the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported.

Over 200 employees and passengers evacuated from the Gulfport-Biloxi Airport, WXXV reported. In a statement Thursday morning, the airport asked passengers to contact their air carriers if they faced travel disruptions.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the terminal building was evacuated due to an emailed threat to certain transportation entities across the state,” Williams said in a statement. “The airport has undergone a thorough security sweep and been cleared and reopened. Gulfport-Biloxi is now operating regularly.”

The airport was closed much of Thursday morning so officials could conduct the safety sweep.

“We greatly appreciated the rapid response from many first responders as well as our airport partners and are thankful for the patience and understanding of our passengers,” Williams said.

Ducre said it is unclear where the threat came from. Gulfport police do not yet have any suspects, and bomb threats were also sent to buildings across the state and country on Thursday morning.

Jenkins did not know the number of people impacted during the evacuation at Stennis but said incoming and outgoing flights should proceed normally Thursday afternoon.

Trent Lott International Airport in Moss Point did not receive a threat Thursday morning, Director Cinnamon Synder said.

A Jewish temple in Columbus also received a bomb threat Thursday morning, Columbus Police said on Facebook. It is unclear if the incident is related to the airport threats.

Sun Herald reporter Mary Perez contributed to this report.

This story was originally published December 14, 2023 at 10:43 AM.