Melbourne’s Avalon Airport was temporarily evacuated on Thursday after a suspicious item triggered a major security response during screening at around 6:00 a.m. local time.

According to News Australia, a laser removal device was flagged during routine checks, prompting authorities to call in the police bomb squad and deploy a robot to examine the item.

A person was arrested at the scene, and passengers and staff were moved away from the domestic terminal as a precaution while investigations were carried out.

Acting Inspector Nick Uebergang of Victoria Police said the situation escalated due to the behaviour of the bag’s owner, who was initially uncooperative with officers.

After a thorough assessment, authorities confirmed the item was not dangerous, and no charges were ultimately laid against the Melbourne-based man.

The airport reopened at around 10:30 a.m. local time, with officials confirming that normal operations had resumed after the item was deemed safe.

Several flights were delayed or cancelled due to the disruption, with passengers waiting in the car park until access to the terminal was restored.

Avalon Airport praised the swift response by security and police, stating that precautionary measures were taken to ensure the safety of passengers, staff, and the wider community.

The Australian and International Pilots Association also supported the actions taken, emphasising that safety and security must remain the top priority in aviation despite operational delays.