Heightened Security On Hand At New York Area Airports As Terror Attacks Rock Istanbul
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Federal Aviation Administration has lifted a ground stop for flights to and from Istanbul's Ataturk airport in wake of the terrorist attacks, according to CBS News.
Before the ground stop, a flight arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport from Istanbul Tuesday evening.
As CBS2's Dave Carlin reported, there were increased patrols and security measures at the airport on Tuesday night, following the attack in Istanbul.
Suspected Islamic State of Iraq and Syria extremists hit the international terminal of Istanbul's Ataturk airport, killing dozens of people and wounding many others, Turkish officials said Tuesday.
PHOTOS: Dozens Killed In Suicide Bomb Attack On Istanbul Airport
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said 36 people were killed and some 147 wounded in the attack. He said the attackers arrived at the airport in a taxi and blew themselves up after opening fire.
According to Turkish newspaper Haberturk, one of the suspects threw four grenades toward the security check.
Port Authority increased security at all local airports. CBS2's cameras captured officers armed with tactical weapons keeping watch at JFK Airport. Similar patrols were put in place at LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty Airport.
Agents for Turkish Airlines at Kennedy reassured ticket holders that their overnight flights were still set to depart, but some passengers debated whether they still wanted to go.
"I'm also worried about the situation," Cagin Devecioglu said. "It's a huge mess. I don't know what's going to happen there."
Some Istanbul to New York passengers dodged danger by just a few hours.
Basir Ali said his family is grateful they were already on a Turkish Air flight heading to New York during the suicide bombings in their city.
Soon after the attack the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey called in reinforcements including armored vehicles and heavily armed officers at Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark.
"The agency continues to monitor the situation in Turkey and is collaborating with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies," the Port Authority said.
Kennedy Airport worker Samat Pak moved from Istanbul to Queens last month.
"I was working in the Istanbul Airport before I come to here. A lot of friends that I talk to them, they tell me it's terrible," he said.
Pak said his friends in Istanbul were not hurt.
The Port Authority said security was already increased after the Orlando shootings, and now the alert status is up even higher.
