Peoria International Airport terminal is reopened.
The airport was closed this morning for commercial flights. Incoming airport traffic was also stopped and diverted at Dirksen Parkway.
A statement from Airport Director Gene Olson and staff around 5:00 a.m.:
“Early this morning, during a time when there were no passengers at the airport, a man accessed the airport and broke into a secured area. He was immediately apprehended and steps are underway to re-establish security throughout the airport. PIA officials are working with law enforcement and the TSA to reopen the airport as soon as possible.”
Early this a.m., a man broke into a secured area of PIA. He was immediately arrested, but authorities are investigating. We will remain closed until full security is restored.
— Peoria Int Airport (@FLYPIA) February 17, 2018
The terminal is reopening.
— Peoria Int Airport (@FLYPIA) February 17, 2018
Olson says the airfield remained open and general aviation was still moving throughout the security incident. He says at no time was there a physical threat at the airport, besides the fact that a man “penetrated the secure area and went places he wasn’t supposed to.”
There are parts of the international terminal building that nobody is allowed access to besides authorized officials, that includes some US Customs areas and/or Transportation Safety Administration.