October 12, 2006
Thursday PM

Ketchikan, Alaska - "The Ketchikan International Airport received very specific, multiple threats this morning which necessitated evacuation of the terminal and closing of the airport," said Ketchikan Assistant Borough Manager Steve Corporon.

Ketchikan International Airport File Photo by Dick Kauffman

The airport was closed around 9 am Thursday and passengers and employees were evacuated from Gravina Island where the airport is located. During the airport closure no passengers were allowed on Gravina. Alaska Airlines arrival flights were also impacted with three jets forced to over-fly Ketchikan.

Bomb-sniffing dogs were flown in from Anchorage to assist in the investigation.

Corporon said, "Utilizing resources from both Anchorage and Seattle the situation is being investigated."

"An initial search was completed at approximately 3:30 pm and the airport was subsequently reopened," said Corporon. The closure lasted over six hours.

According to Corporon, Airport Security Officers are currently working with agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

There have been no details released about the exact number of threats or how the threats were received. More details will be available Friday said Corporon.

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Ketchikan, Alaska