Travelers at Miami International Airport can expect increased security Tuesday following the deadly explosions at the Brussels Airport.
Miami-Dade Police officials said there will be heightened security around the airport, with increased K-9 patrols and uniformed officers, and other measures.
Operations at MIA are normal but due to #Brussels attack, we remain at heightened alert. If traveling today allow extra time. — Miami Int'l Airport (@iflymia) March 22, 2016
"While there is no direct threat to Miami International Airport, we have heightened the security posture we already have in place with a number of additional measures, in response to the terrorist attacks today in Brussels," officials said in a statement. "Employees across our operations have been alerted to heighten their vigilance for suspicious activity."
Traveling today? You will see heightened security throughout the Terminal due to #Brussels incident. Allow extra time for travel. — Miami Int'l Airport (@iflymia) March 22, 2016
Travelers were encouraged to arrive at the airport earlier than usual this week, officials said.
Officials at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport said they're "on a high level of alert as always."
American Airlines has canceled all of its flights to and from Brussels for both Wednesday and Thursday, following Tuesday's attacks. The airline released a statement saying there are plans to operate a flight from Philadelphia to Brussels on Friday, with a return flight on Saturday. American Airlines says that is subject to change, pending direction from Brussels Airport and other authorities.
We are saddened by the Belgium attacks. Our thoughts/prayers are with the victims/families. #FLL is on a high level of alert as always. — Ft. Laud-Hlwd Int'l (@FLLFlyer) March 22, 2016
Local
At least 31 people were killed and scores wounded Tuesday after two explosions rocked the check-in zone of Brussels Airport and a third blast hit a metro station in the Belgian capital, NBC News reported.
The Brussels prosecutor's office is calling the explosions terror attacks. They came just days after the main suspect in the November Paris attacks was arrested in Brussels. After his arrest, Salah Abdeslam told authorities he had created a new network and was planning new attacks.
There were tears of relief and hugs of happiness at Miami International Airport Tuesday evening as passengers arrived from Brussels, 17 hours after the attacks. It wasn't until a connecting flight in Sanford, near Orlando, when the people on board learned of the attacks.
