DUBAI: Emirates Airlines said on Tuesday that three passengers were removed from a New York-Dubai flight, after US officials said a suspect in an attempted New York bombing was arrested trying to fly to Dubai.
"Emirates can confirm that its flight EK 202 (from New York to Dubai on May 3)… was called back by the local authorities prior to departure. Three passengers were removed from the flight," the airline said in a statement.
"Full security procedures were activated, including the deplaning of all passengers and a thorough screening of the aircraft, passengers, and baggage. Emirates is cooperating with the local authorities," it said.
US officials said earlier that a Pakistani-American suspect in an attempted car bombing on Saturday in New York’s Times Square was arrested while trying to flee on flight from New York to Dubai.
New York police chief Raymond Kelly has said more than one person may have been involved in the attempted bombing, but offered no specifics.
The bomb failed to go off, and police flooded the area, shutting down entire blocks, evacuating thousands and preventing many tourists from getting back to their hotels or to Broadway shows.
A statement from US law enforcement officials said the suspect, Faisal Shahzad, was taken into custody around 11:45 pm Monday "for allegedly driving a car bomb into Times Square on the evening of May 1, 2010."
According to Emirates’ website, the EK 202 flight was scheduled to depart at 2300 EDT Monday (0300 GMT on Tuesday). The website indicated the flight was expected to depart at about 0600 EDT (1100 GMT) on Tuesday.
