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.