Melbourne airport evacuated due to security alert

MELBOURNE: A terminal at an airport in Melbourne was today evacuated following a security alert, leading to disruption of several fights.

A 'security alert' at Tullamarine Airport forced the evacuation of Tigerair's terminal 4 and disrupted some flights.

"We are responding and working with the relevant authorities over a security alert that was directed at Tigerair," a spokesperson for the airport said.

Victoria Police said officers were carrying out a search at the terminal, ABC News reported.

The terminal for Singapore-based budget carrier Tigerair was closed about 9:00pm (local time). The terminal has been evacuated and will remain closed until the check is completed.

Some Tigerair flights had been disrupted but all other operations were continuing as normal, the spokesperson said.

According to Melbourne Airport's website, seven Tigerair flights were due to land at the airport after 9:00 pm.

Scott Marquardt, who said he was on board a Tigerair flight from Brisbane that landed about midnight, tweeted saying the crew had announced they would be on the tarmac for at least an hour.

He also tweeted that passengers were told some planes were disembarking but "we'll be on ours for a lengthy amount of time".