Albuquerque airport checkpoint reopens after suspicious item found

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (AP) — The Latest on a suspicious item found at a checkpoint at the Albuquerque airport (all times local):

4 p.m.

An Albuquerque airport security checkpoint is operating again after the presence of a suspicious item led to evacuations.

Albuquerque International Sunport spokesman Daniel Jiron says a team of police bomb techs cleared the item, and the area and passengers were allowed back in the area around 3:30 p.m.

Jiron did not give any details about what the item was. He says it raised suspicion and airport police were called around 1:45 p.m.

Officers evacuated the checkpoint as a precaution.

Arriving passengers were being held in a concourse area while departing passengers were not allowed near the checkpoint.

Jiron says roughly six flights were delayed as a result of the incident.

He says travelers heading to the airport should check with the airline directly about the status of their flight.

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3:30 p.m.

A security checkpoint at Albuquerque airport has been shut down while authorities investigate a suspicious item, leaving dozens of travelers anxiously waiting to board flights.

Albuquerque International Sunport spokesman Daniel Jiron says a police bomb tech team was at the scene Sunday.

According to Jiron, an item left at the checkpoint around 1:45 p.m. raised suspicion and airport police were called.

Officers evacuated the checkpoint area as a precaution.

Jiron says arriving passengers are being held in a concourse area and departing passengers are not being allowed past the checkpoint.

Jiron says other areas of the airport are operating normally.

He had no details about the item.

He did not know if the incident was causing a significant number of flight delays.

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