Luton Airport Bomb Scare:
Disposal Experts Carry out Controlled Explosion
Thousands of passengers evacuated and all incoming flights suspended
-after suspect package is found in security area
The Guardian/Daily Mail UK 8 September 2014
A Luton airport spokeswoman said passengers were advised to contact their airlines to establish the status of their flights
Photograph: @jimblakey/Twitter
"The decision has been taken with the police to ensure the safety and security of passengers and staff. Further updates regarding the security and operations at the airport will be provided as soon as possible."
Luton said later that all incoming flights had been suspended and the approach road to the airport had been closed.
An airport spokeswoman added: "Passengers are advised to contact their airlines to establish the status of their flights."
Bomb-Disposal Experts have Carried out a Controlled Explosion at a Major London Airport
-after a Suspect Package was Found.
The controlled explosion at Luton airport was carried out at about 5.20pm on Monday after thousands of passengers were evacuated and all incoming flights cancelled.
A Bedfordshire police spokesman said the suspect package was discovered in the security search area of the departure terminal shortly after 1.30pm.
Four hours later, police announced over the airport's PA system that there was to be a controlled explosion carried out by its explosive ordnance disposal experts.
Several evacuated passengers used Twitter to describe the "chaos" as it unfolded.
"Chaos at Luton Airport – being told to remain where we are on speakers, while at the same time being told to evacuate," wrote Luke Miller.
Paul Green, who was due to fly to Edinburgh, said the mood was "pretty calm" once passengers were evacuated but complained that they had been given no information by airport staff.
"Once everyone was out and it became apparent that there was no fire – because the first alarm said it was a fire alarm – everyone was fairly calm," he said.
"There's been no update from anyone. If it wasn't for Twitter we wouldn't know anything."
Green had passed through security when the evacuation was announced. He said he suspected something was not right as he was approaching the x-ray scanners.
He said: "I was going through security and the queue suddenly disappeared behind me – this was about 20 minutes before the alarm sounded. It took about 10 minutes to evacuate everyone.
"There was a woman running around telling the x-ray operators something and I asked them what was happening but they didn't know."
A spokeswoman for London Luton airport said: "We understand passengers will be frustrated by the delays they are experiencing.
"We are working closely with the police to ensure passengers are not inconvenienced unnecessarily but we must ensure that the safety and security of all our passengers and staff remains our top priority."
UPDATE:
London's Luton Airport Reopens After Alert
LONDON (AP) — Hundreds of passengers were evacuated and flights were suspended for hours Monday from Luton Airport near London after a suspicious package was found in a security-screening area.
Passengers were stranded outside the terminal as emergency services examined the suspicious item. The approach road to the airport was closed, triggering long delays for motorists.
An army bomb-disposal squad blew up the item in a controlled explosion and police said it was not dangerous. The airport reopened around 6 p.m.
Budget airline EasyJet said six flights landing at Luton had been diverted to other airports and 12 flights had been canceled as a result of the security scare.
Luton, northwest of London, caters mostly to short-haul flights by budget airlines.