Luton Airport reopens after hair-straightener scare

A major security operation closed Luton Airport yesterday following reports of suspicious items found at a security check.

The airport was closed, incoming flights were diverted and departures were delayed or cancelled. Roads near the airport were already closed.

But it later emerged that said the security alert had been caused by a set of hair straighteners, which raised suspicion after they passed through an x-ray machine.

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"Bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion on the item before customers were allowed to return to terminal almost four hours later," The Guardian reports.

The airport was closed at about 1.30pm and the terminal building was evacuated.

The Daily Telegraph says that "at least 25 flights were cancelled and dozens more were subject to delays. Ten incoming flights were diverted to Stansted, two to Birmingham and one to Gatwick.”

The airline easyJet said six of its incoming flights landed at other airports and 41 flights were cancelled.

Bedfordshire Police said that no one was arrested in connection with the incident.

"A controlled explosion was conducted and it was confirmed that the item destroyed, although deemed suspicious, did not present a wider danger," police said in a statement.

Flights are operating normally today.