Hundreds of air passengers have had their travel plans disrupted after authorities evacuated a terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City because of a security breach.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spokesman Steve Coleman says travelers at Kennedy’s Terminal 8 who had been asked to leave the terminal are being re-screened.

The security breach apparently involved someone who left a first class American Airlines lounge at Terminal 8, opened a door that was supposed to be used only by airport workers and walked through.

Coleman said it was unclear whether the person was a passenger. The breach was recorded by security cameras, he said.

There has not yet been speculation on any criminality involved.

Terminal 8 handles both domestic and international flights for American Airlines.

A spokesman for the airline, Charley Wilson, said the breach happened at around 3 p.m. Some flights were being delayed, and two American planes that had landed were waiting on the tarmac for permission to proceed to their gates.

Wilson wasn’t sure how long it would take to fully reopen the terminal.

TSA released a statement on the incident:

“At approximately 3:30 pm EST at John F. Kennedy International Airport, an individual entered the sterile area in Terminal 8 through a non-public, employee door used by airlines. TSA is working closely with the Port Authority to find the individual. The terminal is being evacuated in order to rescreen all passengers to ensure the safety of the traveling public.”

The incident is the third evacuation in five months at airports that serve New York City.

A man was charged last week with breaching security at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Jan. 3. Flights were grounded for hours and passengers were re-screened while air safety officials searched for him.

As of 6:30PM, the terminal has been reopened.

(Source: WCBSTV)