Hold baggage from a Flybe flight to London being rescanned yesterday after a suspicious package was found by loaders. (Picture by Daniel Guerin, 0606445)
A SUSPICIOUS bag caused delays at the airport yesterday as passengers had to be evacuated from a Flybe flight to Gatwick. The unaccounted-for luggage was found in the hold at about 10.30am and the plane was cleared so that the package could be examined.
It was found to be safe – it contained used vehicle parts – but several services were delayed as a result. Security staff removed all hold baggage from the flight and rescanned them as an extra safety measure.
‘A suspect package was found on board an aircraft that was being loaded,’ airport director Colin Le Ray said. ‘I can now confirm that the suspect package has been removed, analysed and is safe. The package did not contain any suspicious items.’
Passengers got back on the plane and it departed just over an hour behind schedule. Inspector Tom Makins said Flybe and airport staff had followed procedures by arranging for passengers’ safe disembarkation.
‘The police bomb disposal team was already on duty taking part in a training exercise and attended the airport within minutes,’ he said.
‘Special Branch officers, with the assistance of airport staff, eventually traced the owner of the unaccounted-for bag and ascertained it contained used vehicle parts.
‘Police, airport and Flybe staff would like to thank the travelling public for their cooperation in successfully resolving this incident.’
One passenger, who was not on the Flybe flight, said people inside the terminal had been unaware what was unfolding. ‘We just heard the warning,’ she said. ‘We saw the police and fire brigade bring a bag inside.
‘It was exciting for the five minutes that it went on for.’
Article posted on 16th July, 2008 - 1.00pm
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