By Michelle Lau
The Federal Aviation Administration declared the highest level of alert, and ordered a 'ground stop,' which restricts airplanes from flight and requires the closing of airports, immediately after four planes were hijacked on Tuesday.
Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta has announced that the FAA is extending the ground stop to complete conducting additional security measures.
'Safety is always of paramount importance, and in these extraordinary times we intend to be vigilant,' Mineta said. 'We remain committed to resuming commercial flights as soon as possible.'
Flights will only resume after a variety of increased security measures will be instituted in airports across the nation.
Measures include thorough security checks of all terminals and aircrafts before boarding, police staffed security checkpoints, discontinuance of curb-side check-in, discontinuance of off-airport check-in,the continuation of identification check-in and boarding areas restricted to ticketed passengers only.
Bill Brusik, part of the FAA security field unit, said the Salt Lake City Airport will maintain the highest level of security.
Randall D. Berg, director of airport operations in Salt Lake City, said the airport was working closely with the FAA and following their specific regulations. The airport continues to remain closed, as the airlines remain stagnant.
'We are doing whatever we can to accommodate passengers,' Berg said.
Ten flights were diverted to the Salt Lake City Airport yesterday after the FAA ordered the ground stop.
The diverted airlines are comprised of Continental Airlines with two flights en route to Houston, Northwest with one flight to Detroit, United sending flights to San Francisco and Denver, America West with a flight en route to Phoenix, SkyWest with one flight traveling to Denver, two Fed-Ex planes heading to Memphis and Oakland and a Japanese Airline en route to Dallas/Ft. Worth.
When airspace re-opens the airport will as well. Airport officials will continue to follow directions given from the FAA.
Airport officials encourage potential passengers to avoid coming to or calling the airport regarding flight information as flights resume. Passengers are directed to call the airlines directly to verify flight information.