Queenstown airport evacuated after flight cleaner finds note mentioning bomb

Queenstown Airport was reportedly evacuated on Sunday after a cleaner found a note mentioning a bomb onboard a flight. Although there were no passengers onboard then, the airport was soon evacuated, reported the NZ Herald .

The New Zealand police posted on its website that the note was found on a plane on the tarmac shortly before 3pm. It further declared, “Aviation Security and Police have searched the plane and found no evidence of an explosive. Teams are continuing to search through baggage and the terminal building and making inquiries with passengers.”

The Qantas QF121 plane, where the note was found had reportedly arrived from Sydney. Baggage and the airport terminal are still being searched.

The NZ Herald quoted some passengers as saying, “Helicopters and other planes, including Virgin and Jetstar, have, however, continued to depart since the note was found.”

“There were, in fact, planes that were ready to be boarded but weren’t in the end,” a passenger said.

Stuff quoted Queenstown Airport Corporation communications manager Jen Andrews as saying that, the terminal was evacuated while staff waited for more information.

Queenstown airport is constantly updating its website with the status of the evacuation and search operation. Its current situation is that the airport has activated its security protocols and is working with the New Zealand police.