HOUSTON — A woman was arrested Tuesday after she was found on a runway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, according to officials.
A Houston Airport System spokesperson said the 22-year-old woman, identified as Ivori H. Howard, 22, went under a gate.
She is charged with intent to impair or interrupt operation of critical infrastructure.
This is the second time in two weeks that someone on foot has gotten onto airport property and reached the tarmac.
Airport officials said it happened around 8:30 p.m.
Air traffic control audio provides a glimpse into what transpired on the tarmac Tuesday night. Here is the moment air traffic control reported a person inching closer and closer onto the runways at Bush.
“He's coming onto runway here. The whiskey vector on runway. About 50 feet…you copy that whiskey vector about 55 feet.”
Then the woman made it to the tarmac.
“He is on the runway! 15 left,” the controller said.
She was caught and arrested. It's unclear what charges she is facing.
Runways 15 left and 15 right were closed for about 15 minutes. They reopened around 8:45 p.m., however, several passengers said their flights were delayed by as much as an hour.
Authorities said they're investigating and working to figure out how the woman made her way onto the runway.
TSA has regulatory oversight of the airport perimeter security, but a source says they're deferring to Houston law enforcement to investigate, saying this is an airport issue. However, TSA inspectors will follow up on the incident.
This incident comes just days after the airport said it was upping security after a 26-year-old man was arrested for jumping a fence and trying to stow away on a flight.
He was arrested and later identified as Jehffrey Gutirres.
Court records show Gutierres is a repeat offender who'd been caught trespassing at Bush three times in the last several months.
Augusto Bernal, the Houston Airport System communications director, said they'll add more patrols after the latest breach. He admits it's impossible to constantly monitor the extensive airport area of 10,000 acres and 40 square kilometers and it's especially challenging at night.