Click to play videoNew Delhi: America's high-tech airport security was in for much embarrassment on Wednesday when a passenger flying from Peru to the US smuggled a monkey under his hat into an airplane on Tuesday.
Passengers aboard Spirit Airlines Flight 180 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to New York's LaGuardia International Airport reacted with shock to their unexpected travel companion.
The passenger made it through the customs when the flight arrived in Florida and he boarded another plane to New York's LaGuardia Airport.
It was on the flight that someone noticed the monkey.
During the flight, the monkey crawled out of its hiding spot, forcing the owner to hold it in his hands, where the unexpected visitor was soon spotted by fellow passengers and crew members, Russell said.
The Port Authority Police Department was contacted by Spirit Airlines, and officials met the owner and the monkey at the gate.
Port Authority spokesman Pasquale DiFulco released a statement saying the monkey was never loose in the airport, as originally reported.
"We've contacted health officials, and man and monkey will be turned over to appropriate officials. He was never on the loose in the airport," DiFulco said
This incident took place despite stringent security procedure at airports in the US - all large metallic items, shoes, jackets and hats on the passengers have to undergo security clearance.
(With CNN inputs)
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