COUNTYWIDE : Some Restrictions Lifted at Airport

For the first time since the Gulf War, relatives and business associates are greeting arriving and departing travelers at John Wayne Airport’s passenger gates.

Airport Manager Jan Mittermeier said the ban on allowing non-ticketed people past security checkpoints was lifted late Wednesday by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA attributed the action to reduced tensions in the Middle East.

John Wayne Airport will remain at a heightened level of security, however. For example, the FAA has not lifted the prohibition against unattended baggage.

“The traveling public has been extremely understanding of the special security measures which have been in place at (the airport) for the past four months,” Mittermeier said. “We are grateful for their patience and are pleased that airport visitors will have access to all public areas and services of the terminal building once again.”

Airport officials said that airport concessionaires are greatly relieved because several vendors had been suffering without revenue from people who normally accompany passengers to and from airline gates.

The situation was not as serious as it could have been, airport officials said, since most airport services are duplicated in the areas that remained accessible to everyone.