Police have admitted making a “potential security breach” at Humberside Airport that delayed a flight to Amsterdam was a “false alarm”.

Passengers waiting for the 6.10am departure to take off to Amsterdam were asked to disembark the KLM aircraft while two men were “temporarily detained” by Humberside Police.

Speaking to the Grimsby Telegraph, a regular traveller on the Humberside to Amsterdam flight said: “The check-in process went as usual and everyone got onto the plane.

“One of the last men to board the plane was followed by security, and he was asked to leave.

“He was escorted off and taken into a private room. Then, the rest of us were also asked by security to leave the plane.

“We were taken into the lounge and I saw staff taking off luggage. Passengers then were asked to go through security again, but I decided against it because I had missed my connecting flight.”

However, the men were released without charge or arrest, and allowed to continue their journey to the Dutch capital.

In a statement to Sky News, Humberside Police said: “We can confirm that two men were temporarily detained at Humberside airport this morning in connection with a potential security breach occurring within the airport terminal.

“The issue was quickly resolved by officers who were able to establish that the suspected breach was in fact a false alarm. Both men were able to continue with their outbound journey.

“There were no arrests or charges in connection with this matter.”

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A brief statement from the airport said: “An aircraft was delayed this morning following behaviour that required further investigation in accordance with security protocols.

“The safety and security of passengers remains our priority, and we apologise for the delay to passengers.”

Passengers waiting were on their way three hours later.