July 4: U.S. airports are tightening security after three suicide bombers killed at least 41
July 4 weekend airport security to bulk up after Istanbul attacks
June 29, 2016
In the wake of the terrorist attack in Istanbul, travelers can expect longer than average wait times at airports throughout the United States this Fourth of July weekend.
Several major U.S. airports are tightening security after three suicide bombers killed at least 41 people and injured hundreds more Tuesday night at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport, Europe’s third-busiest.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PA), for instance, said it added “high visibility patrols equipped with tactical weapons and equipment” at the metropolitan area’s three major airports: John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International and La Guardia.
“The agency continues to monitor the situation in Turkey and is collaborating with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to include the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force,” the authority said in a statement. “Today’s action is in addition to the diverse counterterrorism patrols at various Port Authority facilities following the attack on an Orlando club earlier this month.”
This heightened security resulted in a brief bomb scare at JFK’s Terminal 5 around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, when a K-9 unit found an unattended bag. A bomb squad was called in, the area was evacuated and the roadways to the area were closed, according to PA spokesman Joe Pentangelo. But police quickly cleared the package and the terminal resumed normal operations.
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