LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- Federal officials have joined the investigation into a rash of tagging incidents involving Southwest Airlines passenger jets.
According to an internal memo obtained by ABC15 in Phoenix, "These unauthorized markings typically appear as symbols or words tagged on the exterior of the aircraft."
A Southwest Airlines spokesperson confirmed to the station that markings are being written on the underbelly of 737s parked at the gate.
The unauthorized markings surfaced in February, spokesperson Whitney Eichinger said in the statement.
Eichinger would not comment on the number of planes vandalized, where the incidents were reported or give specific details about what the markings were.
According to the station, the writings resemble Arabic or Arabic-type symbols.
The etchings seem "to have been done with a chemical process that reveals the text once an auxiliary power unit is turned on and heats up the outside skin of the aircraft," KNX 1070 is reporting.
Southwest had planned to handle the situation as "an internal vandalism issue," a memo from Mike Van de Ven stated, but a company employee called in a tip to ABC15 after information about the investigation was posted in a memo on the company's internal blog.
"We are asking your help to stop this and to report those responsible," the memo from Mike Van de Ven read.
"If you are aware of anyone involved in marking or tagging our aircraft, please notify our Leader, " the memo states.
It also said "the issue is taken very seriously," and that the company plans "to work in cooperation with both local and federal law enforcement agencies until the issue is resolved."
According to an internal memo obtained by ABC15 in Phoenix, "These unauthorized markings typically appear as symbols or words tagged on the exterior of the aircraft."
A Southwest Airlines spokesperson confirmed to the station that markings are being written on the underbelly of 737s parked at the gate.
The unauthorized markings surfaced in February, spokesperson Whitney Eichinger said in the statement.
Eichinger would not comment on the number of planes vandalized, where the incidents were reported or give specific details about what the markings were.
According to the station, the writings resemble Arabic or Arabic-type symbols.
The etchings seem "to have been done with a chemical process that reveals the text once an auxiliary power unit is turned on and heats up the outside skin of the aircraft," KNX 1070 is reporting.
Southwest had planned to handle the situation as "an internal vandalism issue," a memo from Mike Van de Ven stated, but a company employee called in a tip to ABC15 after information about the investigation was posted in a memo on the company's internal blog.
"We are asking your help to stop this and to report those responsible," the memo from Mike Van de Ven read.
"If you are aware of anyone involved in marking or tagging our aircraft, please notify our Leader, " the memo states.
It also said "the issue is taken very seriously," and that the company plans "to work in cooperation with both local and federal law enforcement agencies until the issue is resolved."
