Emergency services scrambled to Edinburgh Airport on Friday evening after a potentially suspicious item was reported, prompting an evacuation that left hundreds of passengers stranded in the cold. The discovery sparked a massive response from Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), with roads around the airport sealed off and an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team deployed to assess the situation.
Police Scotland have confirmed that the item was safely dealt with by the EOD team, but while the evacuation was a precautionary measure, authorities have stated that the incident is not being treated as suspicious. The airport, a major hub for travel in Scotland, reopened in the early hours of Saturday morning, though officials have warned of ongoing 'knock-on impacts' to services throughout the day.
The SFRS deployed three appliances and three specialist resources to the scene late on Friday evening, with operational teams working tirelessly to restore normal schedules. Passengers attempting to travel on Saturday are being advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates on flight statuses and potential delays.
Airport management acknowledged the frustration this incident would cause for travellers but emphasised that passenger safety remained their utmost priority. In a statement, Edinburgh Airport confirmed that following investigations by specialist teams, the facility had reopened, and staff were working hard to address the resulting delays and support affected passengers.