'Our airport grounds should be the most secure': Turner demands answers following latest IAH security breach

Authorities have accused a woman of allegedly trespassing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Tuesday, Houston-based media outlets reported. 

Houston Airport System (HAS) officials said 22-year-old Ivori Howard was discovered on a runway at Houston’s major air gateway, supposedly having accessed the highly restricted area by going under a gate.

Houston NPR affiliate Houston Public Media (HPM) reported that the incident marked the second time in about two weeks an individual committed a security breach at IAH. 

A 26-year-old Guatemalan national purportedly attempted to stow himself inside an airline’s landing gear compartment on the Saturday before the Memorial Day holiday. 

In all, three such incidents occurred at IAH this year, HPM reported.

“Due to recent security breaches, Houston Airports is reiterating a regularly shared message of security culture to staff and stakeholders at Bush Airport, Hobby Airport and Ellington Airport: Be vigilant,” HAS said in a statement that was obtained by HPM. “If you see something, say something.” 

Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that Howard, who purportedly hails from the Atlanta area in Georgia, was absent from a court appearance slated for Wednesday, but was still issued a $15,000 bond. 

Prosecutors argued that the woman’s actions in question affected not just Bush, but its departing and arriving passengers, per KHOU.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner demanded a full assessment in response to the cadre of security breaches, the station reported. 

"This has happened twice in the last two to three weeks,” Turner said in the report. “It’s concerning. 

"Our airport grounds should be the most secure," he added.

According to Houston NBC affiliate KPRC, the events involving Howard supposedly resulted in 43 flight delays.

“After investigating, Houston Airports determined the woman gained access to the airfield under a portion of perimeter fence that meets federal regulation,” the airport system said in the report. “Houston Airports worked with TSA to close the gap in the portion of fencing by welding additional security infrastructure.”