An ‘unattended bag’ sparked chaos at London City Airport this afternoon, with flights delayed and passengers forced to evacuate. 

Photos shared on social media showed dozens of passengers queuing up outside after being told to leave the packed terminal. 

A spokesperson for the airport did not confirm the nature of the incident, but said the landside area had been evacuated ‘as a precaution’.

One person who was evacuated posted on X: ‘London City Airport seemingly evacuated? In queue with several hundred people now in the parking lot.’

He originally posted at around 5.30pm and later confirmed that passengers were ‘slowly being allowed back in’ at around 6pm.

Another user wrote: ‘Seems to be some problem at London City Airport. Police helicopter over the runway and incoming flights in a holding pattern.’ 

A statement from the airport wrote: ‘As a result of an earlier incident at London City Airport the landside area of the airport was briefly evacuated as a precaution. 

‘We apologise for any inconvenience caused, however the safety of our passengers and staff is our number one priority. 

‘The incident has now been resolved and passengers are re-entering the terminal.’

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police were called at 4.39pm on Monday, February 3, to City Airport following concerns around an unattended bag.

‘The airport was temporarily evacuated and a cordon was put in place.

‘The bag was determined to be nothing of concern and the cordon has since been lifted.’