Security breach at Capital's airport leaves passengers facing delays

PASSENGERS were caught up in a safety scare at the city's airport this morning following a security breach.

Commuters and families leaving for their holidays were ordered to leave the arrival and departure lounges and were taken to the main check-in area around 5.45am.

The terminal building was evacuated as security officers investigated the cause of the incident, which is thought to have been a false alarm.

A spokesman for BAA Edinburgh said: "There was a security incident this morning around 5.45am that caused the evacuation of the terminal.

"We are currently investigating the cause of the incident but I can confirm that passengers were being brought back into the terminal and processed through security at around 8am this morning.

"We are expecting some delays but the extent of those are not known yet."

Passengers can check for delays on the BAA Edinburgh website or contact their airline.

The airport operator will find out today whether thousands of its workers will strike in a dispute over pay that could cause disruption to flights at the end of the summer holidays.

The Unite union asked more than 6,000 of its members who work as firefighters, engineers and support and security staff to vote for industrial action over a "measly" pay offer.