Local

2 people caught at Charlotte-Douglas with knives disguised as belt buckles

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As airports across the country prepare for one of the year’s busier weekends for travel, Transportation Security Administration agents at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport have made two unusual discoveries – on the same day.

Agents stopped two people trying to bring knives disguised as belt buckles onto planes during screenings last week.

There is no word yet on what charges – if any – the two people caught with the weapons will face.

More than 260 million people are anticipated to fly this summer, TSA predicts, which would make 2019 one of the busiest air travel years in history. At Charlotte-Douglas alone, 32,000 people are expected to go in and out of the airport Thursday and Friday.

That means longer lines and more security screenings. And this coming as the Trump administration is moving hundreds of TSA agents to support operations along the U.S.-Mexico border.

“This year, we have a higher percentage of growth than we have in the last couple years, and a lot of that stems from opening Concourse A, expansion online, (and) a lot of carriers are adding additional services,” Charlotte-Douglas International Airport Chief Operating Officer Jack Christine said. “Travel is good right now.”

Airport officials are encouraging travelers to download its app for the latest updates on flight delays and parking.