Passengers and employees were allowed back into portions of the terminal at Kansas City International Airport on Sunday afternoon after authorities temporarily evacuated areas of the building while investigating a potential threat.
The Kansas City Aviation Department said it received a call Sunday morning reporting a potential device inside the airport terminal and in a parking garage.
Sign up for our Newsletters
Airport police and other law enforcement agencies, along with the FBI, responded to investigate.
As a precaution, airport officials evacuated the terminal and held inbound flights on the taxiway away from the gates while the investigation unfolded.
Law enforcement officers with K-9 units were seen entering KCI as authorities investigated.
A passenger at Kansas City International Airport said travelers were suddenly ordered to leave the terminal while waiting to board flights.
Ryan O’Neill told KMBC that an announcement over the airport speaker system told everyone to evacuate immediately, though no explanation was given at the time.
“We were waiting to board our plane, and all of a sudden they came on the speaker and said, ‘We need everyone to evacuate immediately,’” O’Neill said. “They did not give us a reason why yet.”
O’Neill also said it appeared planes had been moved away from the terminal as passengers tried to figure out what was happening.
Heavy law enforcement presence at KCI as FBI investigates potential threat:
People inside the terminal reported being briefly moved away from certain areas while officers investigated.
KCI evacuated: Authorities investigate ‘potential threat’:
In a statement posted on social media, FBI Director Kash Patel said the threat was ultimately determined not to be credible.
“FBI and our law enforcement partners quickly responded to the scene and secured the area. The threat was reviewed and determined not to be credible. Terminal has been swept, cleared, and normal operations resumed,” Patel said.
Patel also thanked federal partners for their coordination and warned that threats against public facilities can carry serious consequences.
“Threats like these are a federal crime. FBI and law enforcement partners will fully investigate and bring to justice anyone responsible,” he said.
Passengers allowed back into KCI terminal after evacuation:
TOP STORIES FROM KHBS:
Special edition Stanley tumblers are selling out, but these are still in stock
READ THE FULL STORY:Passengers return to Kansas City International Airport terminal after FBI determines threat was not credible
CHECK OUT KHBS:The latest on news and weather in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. With live, local, late breaking coverage, and the latest weather, KHBS/KHOG gives you more of what you want.