A Delta Air Lines pilot was alerted to a potential man-portable air defense system (MANPAD) threat while preparing to land at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Tuesday evening. The warning, issued by air traffic controllers at 8:27 p.m., instructed Delta flight 2604, arriving from Detroit, to be on the lookout.
"MANPAD alert issued at LaGuardia Airport at 0027. Use extreme caution," a controller stated, according to audio transmissions obtained by CBS News. When the pilot inquired about the meaning of MANPAD, the tower explained it refers to a "manned portable air defense system," essentially a rocket launcher.
Within a minute of the alert, air traffic controllers retracted the warning, stating, "No need to respond, Delta 2604. Port Authority police reported it was a non-credible threat." The flight subsequently landed safely without any incidents.
The incident involved a single Delta flight and was resolved swiftly by authorities.