Armed police boarded a plane amid a bomb threat in San Diego.

Hawaiian Airlines flight HA15 had just detached from the jetway and was on the tarmac preparing to depart for Honolulu International Airport on Tuesday, May 20, when an emergency alert was received, prompting the aircraft to be moved to a secure location.

Spokesman Melissa Villegas of Hawaiian Airlines said: 'During pushback from the gate, a guest was overheard making a threat to the safety of our aircraft.

'As a precaution, the captain immediately taxied the Airbus A330 to a safe location on the airfield where it was met with local and federal law enforcement and guests were safely deplaned.'

Officials said that 283 travellers and 10 crew members were evacuated without incident.

Multiple agencies, including the Port of San Diego Harbour Police's Maritime Tactical Team, the K-9 Unit, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the San Diego Fire Department, and the FBI, responded to the scene and searched the aircraft.

Authorities confirmed that nothing suspicious was found on the plane.

Passengers reboarded the flight and departed approximately five hours after the initially scheduled takeoff time.

Local media reported that John Stea, a 35-year-old U.S. Navy technician, was arrested in connection with the bomb hoax.

The Port of San Diego Harbour Police Department said: 'The suspect was onboard Hawaiian Airlines flight 15 when he told a flight attendant the passenger next to him had a bomb.

'The flight attendant informed the captain of the plane about the potential threat as the flight was pulling away from the jetway and getting ready to depart the San Diego International Airport to Honolulu, Hawaii.'

Whether credible or unfounded, such threats are handled with the highest level of caution due to their potential impact on safety and security.

The standard protocol includes stopping the aircraft, evacuating all passengers, and conducting a thorough search, often involving bomb squads and K-9 units.