22 Apr 2010

Flights resume in Dunedin after bomb hoax

4:05 pm on 22 April 2010

Dunedin international airport has reopened and flights are operating following a bomb alert.

Police say what appeared to be an improvised explosive device turned out to be a hoax after being inspected by army bomb disposal experts on Thursday.

It was discovered in a downstairs toilet facility about 9.20am, forcing the evacuation of about 300 people from the airport and its closure for five hours.

Flights were diverted or cancelled, but have resumed on Thursday afternoon.

Inspector Alistair Dickie says army bomb disposal experts from Christchurch have conducted a sweep of the building and declared it safe.

A team of investigators is working to find out who was responsible for the hoax.