LAX's Terminal 1 evacuated due to suspicious package, causing multi-mile traffic backup

Part of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)'s Terminal 1 has been evacuated after learning of a suspicious package in the terminal Friday night, CBS News Los Angeles reported.

Authorities first learned about the suspicious package at about 9:35 p.m., requiring the bomb squad to arrive on scene for further investigation into the matter.

All traffic was diverted for several hours, according to a tweet by the airport's social media team. 

Due to police activity in Terminal 1 traffic in the terminal area is being diverted. Please check with your airline for the latest flight status information. Thank you for your patience.

— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) June 17, 2023

Domino effect

Following hours of delays and the partial evacuation, LAPD announced that airport activity would resume and go back to normal. Local officials declared that no threats were associated with the package.

Though the package itself may not be the problem anymore, this traffic-rich city still suffered from the multi-hour dilemma.

According to Los Angeles-area news outlets, a traffic-focused news helicopter "captured traffic heading to the airport on Sepulveda Boulevard backed up for miles as the upper deck to all of the airport's terminals remained closed."

Flights from the global hub were also in turn delayed, making the Friday before the Juneteenth holiday and Father's Day weekend a massive hassle.

Officials are encouraging travelers for the latest flight status information.