Flights delayed in Athens int'l airport over security alert

Dozens of flights were delayed in the Athens international airport (AIA) on Sunday over a security alert, local authorities said.

The disruption came as police deemed necessary to further search a female passenger, according to an AIA announcement.

However, when investigators located the passenger, she had already embarked on an Aegean flight to Madrid.

The flight was diverted to the Palma de Mallorca airport where a thorough search was conducted in all passengers and luggage, without anything suspicious emerging, therefore the aircraft continued the journey to Spain's capital, the Greek airliner said in a press release.

The Greek carrier and AIA have still not unveiled the nationality of the passenger and the cause of the alarm.

A week ago in the Athens airport a group of Israeli Jewish travelers caused a 90-minute delay in the departure of an Aegean flight to Tel Aviv when they realized that they would be travelling with two Israeli Arabs, citing "security fears."

Their concern was unfounded according to the Greek police investigation.

However, in order to put an end to tensions, the two Palestinian passengers agreed to disembark, spend the night in a hotel and get a flight the following day.

The racist incident was strongly condemned by the Greek government, the Palestinian Authority and Aegean airlines who expressed "greatest regrets for the event." Endit