Jan 25, 2002 An El Al flight was delayed after a flare was discovered in a suitcase after making its way through security. It was only discovered when the South African owner of the suitcase told a flight attendant on an El Al flight from Tel Aviv Airport about it. The Jewish passenger, who had been a volunteer at an Israeli communal farm, said he had received the flare from an Israeli soldier as a souvenir. The luggage was not checked because he did not fit into one of the "danger groups" of passengers that security officials single out for more rigorous searches, said Transport Ministry spokesman Avner Ovadiah. The South African passenger apparently had second thoughts about the flare and informed the flight attendant because of questions he had been asked by security personnel on the ground. One particular question concerned the possibility that he might be carrying explosive materials. The incident prompted aviation officials to review security at the airport. The criteria for profiling passengers will be changed soon, he said, but would not elaborate. The tourist was not detained but was allowed to reboard the plane which took off after the flare was removed. El Al is renowned for its strict security and has thwarted several bombing and hijacking attempts in the past. Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, El Al officials have been called on by airports around the world to help them learn how to better protect passengers.