Port Authority, FBI Investigating Bomb Threat Against Flight From Spain At JFK
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- European security experts are reportedly trying to thwart an alleged terror plot in the skies as authorities here at home try to determine who was behind a bomb threat against a flight from Spain to New York on Sunday.
According to reports, officials in Europe have intelligence suggesting that terrorists have the goal of blowing up five European passenger planes before Christmas in a possible 9/11-style attack.
Meanwhile, the Port Authority and the FBI are investigating after a bomb threat was phoned in against an American Airlines flight from Spain on Sunday.
Flight 67 from Barcelona landed safely at John F. Kennedy Airport about noon Sunday, according to Laura Masvideo, a spokeswoman for the airline.
"You're on a flight, you're landing and the pilot comes on and says there was a bomb threat," said passenger Chandra Hayslett.
The aircraft was taken to a location near the tarmac where the 200 passengers plus crew members were taken off the plane, according to Port Authority spokesman Joe Pentangelo.
Police searched the plane and its contents for two hours before determining there was no danger.
"They had to examine all the luggage first just to make sure it wasn't a legitimate threat," said passenger Donna Graham.
"It was two hours of my time, but it was two hours of my time that I'm still standing here talking to you guys," said another passenger.
American Airlines issued a statement saying, "We apologize for ay inconvenience this may have caused. The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority."
Pentangelo said authorities were investigating the source of the call.
So far, security experts have not said if there is any link between the reports of terror threats in Europe and Sunday's incident at JFK.
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