Part of LAX Temporarily Closed Due to ‘Suspicious’ Vehicle

Departure ticket counters at Los Angeles International Airport on June 19, 2022. Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) announced it was partially closed for over an hour on Wednesday after police were alerted to a suspicious vehicle.

“Due to a suspicious vehicle, the upper/departures level of the airport is closed for the investigation. Traffic will be diverted to the lower/arrivals level. Please allow extra time to get to your terminal during this time,” the airport announced on Twitter around 4:30 p.m. local time.

“Passengers can continue to access the departures area in most locations, but vehicle traffic is being diverted around the police activity to the lower level only.”

The airport announced at the time that, amid the police investigation, all vehicle traffic into the airport had been impacted, including Century and Sepulveda, and shuttles were not running including from economy parking.

Travelers were asked to allow for extra time to arrive at the airport.

Traffic was being diverted from the upper level to the lower, as well as away from the Tom Bradley International Terminal, LAX also noted at the time.

The suspicious vehicle appeared to be a U-Haul truck that was abandoned, according to KTVU.

By about 6:10 p.m. local time, the LAX officials announced that police have cleared the vehicle and were starting to allow guests back into the affected areas.

“Traffic diversions will end shortly and vehicle traffic will resume on all levels and roads. We are sorry for the delays, and we thank our officers,” they added.

The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement around 6:50 p.m. local time, “Around 4:00 p.m. a vehicle was left unattended at LAX. LAPD Bomb Squad responded & has verified there is no public safety threat related to the vehicle. LAPD units will be clearing the location & the area will be reopened.”