Suspicious bag prompts Kennedy evacuation

Authorities evacuated the American Airlines terminal at Kennedy Airport Monday after a suspicious bag was found just after 7:30 a.m., but officials said an investigation revealed no dangerous or hazardous items.

Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman said both a Port Authority canine unit and the NYPD Bomb Squad investigated the black briefcase discovered in the business class lounge at Terminal 8 at 7:38 a.m. But it was found the case contained "nothing suspicious," Coleman said.

He said the "all clear" signal was given at 9 a.m.

As a precaution, Coleman said the terminal was immediately shut down and evacuated following the initial discovery of the briefcase. The terminal exclusively handles flights operated by American Airlines.

It was not immediately known how many flights were affected by the incident.