Authorities investigate suspicious US Airways worker at Philadelphia International Airport

Authorities investigate suspicious US Airways worker at Philadelphia International Airport

2010-10-08 06:52:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA (BNO NEWS) -- Two US Airways baggage handlers at Philadelphia International Airport alerted authorities on Thursday when they noticed they were being helped by a third person who may not have been authorized, leading police to stop US Airways Flight 1070 from taking off.

The security concern was raised shortly before US Airways 1070, an Airbus A319, was due to depart for Bermuda International Airport. "Shortly before 10.15 a.m. (EDT), a security concern was raised," a spokeswoman for US Airways said, without providing other details.

Multiple agencies were investigating the incident, including Philadelphia Police and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA). "TSA is aware of an incident at Philadelphia International Airport on US Airways flight 1070," TSA spokesman Greg Soule said.

Soule said all 102 passengers and 5 crew members were safely deplaned and the aircraft was moved to a remote location. "The aircraft was swept and passengers and their luggage were rescreened with negative findings," Soule added.

According to the local police, two US Airways baggage handlers alerted authorities when they noticed that a co-worker who was unable to identify himself. He then drove away in a baggage loading vehicle when he was confronted by the baggage handlers.

"The passengers were never in any danger," said Mark Medvesky of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the lead agency which is handling the investigation. "It's an ongoing investigation."

The FBI said the situation did not appear to have any connection to terrorism.

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