Suspicious Package Removed From DFW Terminal D

The DFW Airport Department of Public Safety cleared portions of Terminal D while they investigated a report of a suspicious noise coming from an overnight shipping drop box late Friday morning.

The incident was first reported about 11:15 a.m. near gate 23.

The all clear was given at about 1:30 p.m. as DPS agents moved the suspicious package to a remote site for further investigation. The package was not immediately opened as officials were trying to reach the sender or recipient, he said.

"This time of year, a lot of people are shipping gifts that may have batteries in them," said David Magana, airport spokesperson. "It may be a toy. Who knows?"

The package, which was in a shipping company's drop box, was making a vibrating noise. Magana said authorities were alerted "to take every available precaution."

During the investigation, DPS officers established a 300-foot perimeter and passengers were cleared from the central portion of the terminal, covering gates 20-25. The D-22 checkpoint was closed down as well.

The Skylink people mover system bypassed the D-North station for a time, and the Terminal D upper level roadway was closed as packages were removed from the building.

Magana did not know the number of people who were temporarily displaced but said two American Airlines flights were delayed and several other flights were rerouted to other gates.

The incident lasted a little more than two hours. Officials sounded the all clear at 1:30 p.m.

"On the grand scale, we're fortunate that the impact here was pretty minimal," Magana said.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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