Air Terminals Evacuated After Security Breach

A security breach prompted officials to evacuate both terminals at Oakland International Airport for more than an hour Monday night.

An elderly woman without a plane ticket apparently walked through a security checkpoint exit and into a secured area without being screened, said airport spokesman George Turner.

When she realized that she had breached security, she returned to the checkpoint, said Joe Wong, an operations specialist.

The airport immediately evacuated both terminals about 6:45 p.m. while airport personnel and Oakland police questioned the woman and authorities inspected the area, Wong said. Authorities released the woman after determining the breach was an accident.

Travelers began trickling back inside about 8 p.m. to be re-screened and it took until about 10 p.m. for air traffic to begin returning to normal. Planes were ordered to wait on the tarmac until authorities gave the all-clear.