Saturday, 29 September, 2001, 11:34 GMT 12:34 UK

Security alert grounds Paris flights

Paris airport security has been increased since 11 September

Air France suspended all flights in and out of Paris-Orly airport on Saturday morning after a security alert. Both terminals were evacuated and airport authorities set up a "crisis cell" after anonymous threats were made.

After a search of the airport by police and soldiers, the alert was declared a false alarm and passengers were allowed back in.

Air France flights were resumed.

High state of alert

French airports have been on a heightened state of alert since the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington, in which more than 6,000 people were killed.

An airport spokesman said: "We regularly receive these type of calls, which are all treated seriously."

Didier Hamon, director of communications at the Aeroports de Paris (ADP) firm which runs the airport, said the threats were received at ADP's information call centre.

About 6,000 passengers were affected, he said.

Montpellier airport in southern France was also shut down temporarily on Saturday after a bomb threat, but was reopened after a search.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1570000/1570385.stm

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), September 29, 2001