American Airlines Inc. said Monday it has launched a private offering of $1 billion in senior secured notes.

The notes are expected to be secured by certain of the company's route authorities, airport landing and take-off slots and rights to use or occupy space in airport terminals. Proceeds from the offering of the notes are expected to be used for general corporate purposes.

American Airlines is operated by parent company AMR Corp.

One man faces a mischief charge after two men were arrested when a suspicious object was found in their luggage early Thursday at Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.

The men, age 43 and 73, were making their way through a security checkpoint in the international departures area around 5 a.m. when a suspicious object was spotted in one of their bags.

According to Montreal police constable Anie Lemieux, the object "resembled an explosive device," and police were immediately called in as a precaution.

The object turned out to be harmless.

The airport was not evacuated, but some international flights were delayed.

The older man was released, but the 43-year-old will be charged with mischief, Montreal police Constable Olivier Lapointe reported.