Boston JetBlue flight searched after threat; nothing found

BOSTON (AP) - A JetBlue Airways plane returned to the gate before takeoff on Monday after an unspecified threat, but nothing hazardous was found, state police said.

Authorities have been investigating other hoax threats against airlines, five since Saturday.

Passengers were taken off Flight 321 to Palm Beach, Florida, at about 9 p.m. Monday, police spokesman David Procopio said. Troopers with search dogs swept the aircraft and about 100 pieces of luggage, he said.

"Information known by law enforcement prior to the search suggested the threat was not credible," Procopio said. "The aircraft was nonetheless carefully examined per security protocols."

He said no further information about the nature of the threat was being released because of an ongoing investigation into the source.

He said the flight, scheduled to be among the last leaving Boston ahead of the Northeast snowstorm, was cancelled and the 135 passengers will be rebooked. Logan Airport wasn't expected to resume flights before Wednesday.

New York-based JetBlue Airways Corp. also believed the threat wasn't credible, spokesman Sebastian White said, but "the safety of our customers is our first priority." He said the airline is cooperating with law enforcement.

An FBI spokeswoman in Los Angeles said earlier Monday the agency was investigating hoax threats Sunday against two flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, operated by JetBlue and SkyWest, and a Los Angeles-bound Delta Air Lines jet diverted to Dallas-Fort Worth.

Hoax bomb threats also targeted a Southwest Airlines flight and a Delta flight bound for Atlanta on Saturday. It's unclear if the hoaxes are connected.

The Boston FBI did not immediately return a message seeking comment Monday night.