Airport apologises after evacuation sparks disruption

Passengers were left waiting on the tarmac

Bristol Airport has fully re-opened following an earlier evacuation.

Thousands of passengers were instructed to leave the airport departure lounge after the fire alarm sounded at about 16:30 BST.

An airport spokesperson apologised for the "inconvenience" and confirmed there was "some smoke" at the premises.

No flights were cancelled as a result.

The spokesperson added: “Bristol Airport experienced a fire alarm activation this afternoon, which resulted in the brief evacuation of passengers from an area within the departure lounge as a precaution.

“We apologise for any inconvenience experienced by customers and thank everyone for their patience during this time."

Martin Slade from Chippenham, Wiltshire, is travelling to Barcelona for a business trip.

He was sat having a meal in the terminal when the fire alarm sounded.

Thousands of passengers were told to evacuate following the alarm

"Everybody ignored it for about 20 seconds, but then staff came over and said 'everybody has to leave now'.

"They escorted us out - it was all very orderly and well organised.

"Within minutes, the fire team were on-site inspecting and checking everything out," he said.

Mr Slade added that some passengers were disembarking from arriving planes whilst everybody waited on the tarmac.

An airport spokesperson added that "delays are now minimal".