A large security operation began at Geneva airport on Wednesday after an unspecified threat was received against the building.
According to Le Tribune de Genève, police were present in large numbers at Cointrin airport from the early hours of Wednesday morning and were carrying out identity checks on passengers.
Writing on its Facebook page, Geneva cantonal police said: “Following information we have received, currently being verified, and in the context of increased security, preventative security checks are currently underway at Geneva airport for an indefinite duration”.
“Passengers are kindly asked to allow additional time for check-in,” police added.
Sources told news agency Reuters that the Swiss were acting on information from French police who received an anonymous tip-off about a bomb threat at the airport
The information is being taken extremely seriously, said the Tribune, particularly in light of recent attacks in Nice and Germany.
Contrôles préventifs de sécurité en cours à l'aéroport. Merci de prévoir un délai pour les formalités de départ ! https://t.co/41tiX9CEGb
— Police Genève (@GenevePolice) July 27, 2016
Access to the airport was limited and vehicles arriving at departures were security checked, leading to queues forming outside the airport, witnesses told the paper.
A notice on Geneva airport’s website said: “The police has decided to strengthen preventive security controls at Genève Aéroport.
“These controls are slowing down the access to the infrastructures, particularly by road.
“The airport authorities advise travellers to take all arrangements to arrive at the airport at least two hours before the departure of their flight.”
Vaste opération de contrôle à l'aéroport https://t.co/ObXsvG7x4w #Suisse pic.twitter.com/DCRwU2RZcm
— Tribune de Genève (@tdgch) July 27, 2016
Shortly before 2pm police said they were lifting the extra security measures and that the situation would return to normal, meaning “an increased police presence in the airport due to the international situation” but no additional measures.
The reinforced security measures at GVA airport will be progressively stopped https://t.co/41tiX9CEGb
— Police Genève (@GenevePolice) July 27, 2016
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