The man suspected of trying to blow up a Paris-Miami flight using shoes packed with explosives flew to Israel in July on security-conscious state-run El Al Israel Airlines, a company spokesman said today.
"I can confirm that the shoe bomber flew to Israel in July of this year on El Al. Before check-in he went through a security check," El Al spokesman Mr Nachman Klieman said.
Mr Klieman said the security check, which was conducted after security personnel thought Richard Reid appeared suspicious, included a check of his luggage, his person and his shoes. He did not disclose from which country Reid flew to Israel.
Israeli security sources said Reid's arrival in Israel was under investigation. Israeli newspapers reported that Reid spent a week in the Jewish state and then left for Egypt via the Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip.
Reid was overpowered by flight attendants and fellow passengers who saw him apparently try to set fire to his shoes on American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris on December 22nd. He is awaiting a court hearing in the United States tomorrow.