Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) was evacuated and temporarily closed just before 5 a.m. Friday after an individual reported devices left inside the terminal, according to Melissa Naughton, the airport’s public information officer. The evacuation began around 4:19 a.m. following a call to Melbourne Police Department dispatch, prompting a precautionary sweep of the terminal and surrounding areas. 'In an abundance of caution the terminal was evacuated and closed,' Naughton said in a statement to The Space Coast Rocket. The airport reopened at 6:30 a.m., about two hours and ten minutes after the initial report.
Melbourne Airport Authority Police Department officers searched the terminal, aircraft ramps, and gates for the reported devices. No injuries were reported, and normal flight operations resumed shortly after reopening. Naughton did not disclose details about the nature of the devices, the identity of the person who reported them, or whether anything was recovered during the sweep. The Space Coast Rocket has asked for further information, but no additional updates have been provided.
The airport, located 1.5 miles northwest of downtown Melbourne in Brevard County, serves as a key hub for the Space Coast. It recently completed a $72 million renovation and expansion project that added over 86,000 square feet of new facilities, including a welcome center and passenger boarding bridges for wide-body aircraft. The facility handles more than 6 million passengers annually and is a critical link for regional travel and tourism.
This incident follows a pattern of heightened security measures at airports nationwide, though no threats have been confirmed in this case. Authorities have not indicated whether the devices posed any risk, and no further action has been announced. The airport’s management has emphasized cooperation with law enforcement and the importance of public safety during such events.