Summary
An EasyJet flight in July 2025 experienced a bomb scare caused by a disruptive passenger, sparking a full-scale emergency response. Although no device was found, the incident exposed how vulnerable organisations can be when faced with unpredictable, real-world threats. The blog discusses how physical security must evolve—static plans aren't enough. Businesses across industries should embrace regular simulations, role-specific training, and crisis rehearsals to build true resilience. As the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) recommends, security readiness should be dynamic, tested, and team-wide.
Airline Bomb Scare Underscores Physical Threat Preparedness
On 27 July 2025, passengers on an EasyJet flight from Luton to Glasgow faced a terrifying ordeal when a man emerged from the toilet shouting, “I’ve got a bomb,” and referenced Donald Trump. He was restrained by passengers and arrested upon landing. No device was found, but the psychological and operational disruption was significant.
This wasn’t a terror attack; it was a disruptive individual triggering a high-risk response. Yet it highlighted a critical vulnerability: how prepared are staff and organisations to manage unpredictable, real-world threats in real time?
Why It Matters – Physical Security Isn’t Static
The incident demonstrates how quickly routine operations can turn into potential crises. It’s a wake-up call to move beyond passive plans and static checklists, and toward active preparedness through regular testing, simulation, and response training.
This applies across industries: manufacturing sites, energy providers, transport hubs, and logistics networks all face the same challenge: what happens when someone behaves unpredictably, and how ready are we?
Aligning with NPSA Principles
The National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) advises a holistic approach: deter, detect, delay, and respond. However, plans are only as good as their last test. Tabletop exercises and simulated drills expose blind spots, build muscle memory, and allow teams to practice high-pressure decisions in a safe but realistic setting.
Reality Check – Physical Threat Trends
- The UK Transport Safety Board noted a 10% rise in disruptive in-flight incidents in 2025.
- Only 36% of UK businesses say they’ve tested their physical incident response in the past year. (International Security Journal)
- According to NPSA, businesses that conduct regular security simulations resolve crises 42% faster.
5 Forward-Thinking Recommendations for Businesses
- Run Regular Tabletop Exercises
Simulate threats such as suspicious behaviour, insider breaches, or access control failures. Involve not just security staff but operational teams and execs. - Use Role-Specific Scenarios
Build exercises around NPSA’s Role-Based Risk Assessment approach and tailor responses by function, not just generic policy. - Incorporate Red Team Simulations
Test access controls, emergency comms, and insider response with physical penetration testing, not just cyber. - Train for Chaos, Not Perfection
Good exercises surface ambiguity. Train teams to make time-pressured decisions under stress. - Debrief, Adapt, Repeat
Post-exercise reviews are critical. Update procedures, retrain where needed, and build a culture of readiness.
Final Thought
A bomb scare doesn’t need to involve a real device to be a real threat. As risks become more human and less predictable, preparedness must be proactive, not reactive. Organisations that regularly test their plans, rehearse their teams, and embrace NPSA-aligned simulations aren’t just compliant, they’re resilient.