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BY VICTORIA CRAIG

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN


You're watching multisource video news analysis from Newsy. 

Mysterious symbols have been appearing on the underbellies of dozens of Southwest Airlines 737 jets. KNXV reports, the symbols aren’t just the doodles of bored graffiti artists.

“According to my multiple sources, symbols and Arabic words are being found on the exterior of planes written in thick dirt and soot. But the airline will not say what exactly is being written.”

Southwest says reports of these incidents have been coming in since February, but they’re becoming more frequent. Adding to the concern: the messages can’t be seen unless activated by a heat source. CBS reports...

“The writings...appeared 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.”

Because of all the unknown variables, many are concerned about airline safety. One reporter who’s been covering the story extensively tells Fox News he worries who has access to these airplanes.

“It does raise disturbing questions about the security because anyone who has the ability to write on an airplane or can get that close to do it also has the ability to do other things to that aircraft.”

But a former FBI assistant director tells CNN he isn’t worried.

“I think maybe a joke or a disgruntled employee. I think the fact this has only happened to Southwest Airlines planes is pretty significant -- why not other aircraft if there’s some kind of general message to aviation or some kind of general threat to aviation.”

As KDFW reports, though the airline is taking steps toward solving the mystery, the company isn’t treating it as a possible act of terrorism.

“‘The markings have no affiliation to any known group or activity...These markings at this time are considered vandalism, and Southwest is conducting an internal investigation to determine who is responsible."

Both the FBI and the TSA are investigating the graffiti incidents, but they say the markings pose no security threat to passenger safety.

Transcript by Newsy