Air France Cancellations Tied to 1 Person
Jan. 7, 2004 -- France today confirmed an ABCNEWS report that it was hunting for a man behind security fears that forced several flight cancellations and delays. The man is suspected of having links to al Qaeda and may have access to a concealable bomb.
U.S. law enforcement officials told ABCNEWS that if the suspect is who they think he is, he underwent terrorist training at one of Osama bin Laden's camps in Afghanistan.
The ongoing search for the man — who was traveling with a French passport — is one of the factors contributing to the continuing security jitters about trans-Atlantic flights, officials said.
French officials told ABCNEWS on Tuesday that the man is feared to have a small bomb whose components might get past airport security.
"I confirm that we are looking for someone. I cannot tell you anything more," French Justice Minister Dominique Perben told RMC radio today, confirming what ABCNEWS reported Tuesday.
The man had a ticket for Air France's Flight 68 from Paris to Los Angeles on Dec. 24, but the flight was canceled and the passenger never showed up at the airport, U.S. and French officials told ABCNEWS.
The man is being sought across Europe. Former French defense official Alexis Debat says the French fear they canceled the flight too soon, tipping him off.
"Nobody knows where he is and that is a big concern throughout Europe," said Debat, an ABCNEWS consultant. "The French are concerned that they may have dropped the ball."
The man's identity and description have been passed on to security officials in London, adding to other potential threats being dealt with there.
"This person will also have several other pieces or documents, aliases, several passports," Debat said.
As part of the search for the one suspect, French officials carried out two raids Tuesday near the city of Lyon and in a small town north of Paris, based in part on U.S. intelligence information.
"You have to hit at the head, which is the logistical network that enables the person to travel back and forth," said Debat.
As well as the Air France flights, several other U.S.-bound flights were canceled or delayed over the holidays, including British Airways flights from London to Washington.
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