An unattended package forced Washington Dulles International Airport to close off part of the main terminal for about an hour and a half Tuesday afternoon.
The item was determined to be harmless around 6:30 p.m., and the airport had reopened the affected baggage-claim and ticketing areas by 6:50.
A police dog found the item in the lower level baggage-claim area, prompting passengers and workers to be cleared out of the area between Carousels 3 and 8.
A portion of the arrivals and departures area a floor above the luggage claim carousels was also cleared out, from an abundance of caution.
While police and fire personnel were on the scene, vehicle traffic around the airport continued as normal and flights continued to depart.
At the official Dulles website, a statement said several airlines had their ticketing counters affected — United, Lufthansa, Avianca, Austrian, Jetblue, Alaska and Porter.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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