Palmerston North Airport to reopen tonight after 'bomb scare' threat cancels flights

The scene outside Palmerston North Airport this afternoon. Photo / Twiiter @joepfdavis

Palmerston North Airport is set to reopen tonight around six hours after a bomb scare that cancelled all flights and forced passengers to be evacuated.

Police were called to the North Island airport around 2pm and a spokeswoman confirmed at 8pm that nothing untoward had been found during searches of the terminal.

Cordons had been stood down but inquiries into the threat were ongoing, they said.

More than 150 people - including airport staff and passengers - were being evacuated from the airport this evening, taken on buses from the terminal to the airport's exit points.

Both police and the Defence Force's Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit were on the scene.

Airport chief executive David Lanham said earlier this afternoon the incident related to the terminal carpark area.

The entrance to the airport had been blocked and some passengers had been secured inside the terminal, he said.

Other people wanting to enter the airport for flights or to pick up others were waiting on Airport Drive outside the terminal, he said.

"Police are on site and are in control of the scene. We're really being guided by them at the moment."

He said police were doing a really good job keeping everyone up to date.

"Everyone is comfortable and safe in the terminal."

Police were preparing to sweep through the carpark with bomb sweeping devices, he said.

"We've had a couple [flights] land and one has been diverted away. Nothing will be departing until the scene is deemed to be safe."

All flights were later cancelled.

Standing outside Palmerston North airport with a couple hundred people while Police investigate a bomb threat. Hope it turns out to be nothing - so grateful to the Police for the calm, controlled response. pic.twitter.com/Opd35vSY3B

— Joe Davis (@joepfdavis) June 3, 2021

A police spokeswoman said officers were responding to a report of a threat being made around 2.16pm.

"Police are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the threat and to speak with those involved."

Flights are expected to restart tomorrow morning.

- with RNZ