San Jose Mineta International Airport temporarily evacuated Terminal B on Friday night after a fire alarm caused what officials later confirmed to be a false alert. The unexpected activation of the alarm prompted an immediate response and the rapid clearing of the terminal as safety protocols were implemented. Airport authorities emphasized that the evacuation was precautionary and that no actual fire or safety threat was present at any time.
According to airport officials, the alarm system inside Terminal B was triggered shortly before the evening departures were scheduled. As standard procedure, the terminal was cleared to ensure that emergency crews and airport staff could assess the situation without obstruction. Once the investigation determined that the alarm had been falsely activated, efforts began to reopen the terminal and restore normal operations. Officials did not specify the exact cause of the false alert but indicated that the system responded as designed to ensure passenger safety.
During the evacuation, the Transportation Security Administration required that passengers be rescreened before reentering the terminal. This step, while necessary for security compliance, extended delays for travelers and led to congestion as passengers waited for clearance to return to the departure areas. Airport authorities advised that operations would resume gradually as rescreening progressed and staffing adjusted to the sudden disruption.
Southwest Airlines, one of the major carriers operating from Terminal B, addressed the incident in a statement provided by spokesperson Lynn Lunsford. The airline noted that the terminal reopening process was underway and that several evening departures could be delayed until operations were fully restored. Arriving aircraft were held away from the gates until the terminal was deemed ready to accept passengers again, a measure taken to prevent overcrowding and ensure safety during the transition back to normal operations.
According to Southwest, the priority was to accommodate as many passengers as possible despite the unexpected disruption. The airline encouraged travelers to stay in communication with the airport and TSA for updates regarding screening procedures and the timeline for repopulating the terminal. The airline also acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the false alarm and expressed appreciation for travelers’ patience as airport staff worked to restore normal flow.
The incident caused temporary delays, but airport officials stressed that safety protocols functioned as intended and that operations would continue to stabilize throughout the night. Passengers were advised to check their flight status frequently and allow additional time for rescreening if they had not yet reentered the terminal. As the situation normalized, staff continued to guide passengers through the updated procedures and ensure a smooth reopening process.
San Jose Mineta International Airport experienced no damage or safety hazards from the false alarm, and authorities expect all operations to fully resume once the terminal is fully repopulated and system checks are complete.
