UPDATE: Detained Newark Plane Given All-Clear After Bomb Threat

Acting on a phoned-in bomb threat, Newark Airport authorities delayed and searched an incoming flight from London on Monday, but found no explosives or hazardous materials aboard the plane.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials received the call around 11:38 a.m., spokesman Joseph Pentangelo told Patch.

When the plane landed, several Port Authority emergency response units were waiting to greet it with a K-9 unit.

“Normal protocol is that the plane is taken to an unloading area,” explained Pentangelo. “The passengers then deplane, and the dogs canvass the people to see if there’s a hit for explosives. After that, all the luggage is removed… all the carry on [bags] in the cargo hold… all the mail. It’s a time consuming process.”

After conducting a search and finding no hazards, authorities gave an all-clear around 2 p.m., Pentangelo said.

Other recent bomb scares at Newark Airport have included a “suspicious package” found on May 6, and a series of Memorial Day threats to several New York area flights.

Photos courtesy of José M. Fernandez