Charleston airport evacuated and flights halted after ‘suspicious package’ found

All clear has since been given for passengers to return

All people have been evacuated from Charleston airport after a “’suspicious package” was found (Rob Way/ Twitter)

Charleston airport passengers were momentarily evacuated and all inbound flights halted after a “suspicious package” was found. 

CBS affiliate WCSC reported that airport officials said TSA agents discovered the package that they “thought to be a potential threat” around 11.15am on Wednesday.

Following the evacuation, an all-clear was given at around 1.30pm and the terminal was re-opened for passengers to return to the airport, Airport spokesman Spencer Pryor confirmed to the broadcaster.

“TSA officials determined an evacuation of the terminal was necessary and employees along with passengers were evacuated,” Mr Pryor said in a statement. 

“The suspicious package was removed from the terminal area and members of the Charleston County Bomb Squad arrived on scene to inspect the item.”

The package did not contain an explosive device, according to Mr Pryor. It is still not yet known what the package contained.

Charleston International Airport CEO Elliott Summey said that the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad removed the package from the area. It’s not clear where the package has been taken or if it has been destroyed.

Amidst the evacuation, Mr Summey declined to tell the broadcaster any other details regarding the package or the person it was associated with.

FlightAware had reported that all inbound flights to the airport are being held at their origin until Wednesday at 3pm Eastern Time “due to security." This notice has since been removed from the website.

The Post and Courier reported that the during the evacuation Charleston was closed and no flights are being allowed to land or take off. 

Traffic on the route to the airport has become severely congested as Airport Authority as police blocked traffic from approaching the terminal at Michaux Parkway and International Boulevard, outlets reported.

John O’Donoghue, a resident of Washington, DC, told The Post and Courier that he was waiting for a flight home when he was ordered to evacuate in an orderly manner but said that passengers were not informed of what was happening.