Published: Thursday, 29th July, 2010 4:00pm

Arrest after airport security alert

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A SLOUGH man has been charged after a major security alert delayed 65,000 passengers at Luton Airport.

Dariusz Tkaczyk, 21, of Hinksey Close is due to appear before Bedford Magistrates' Court on September 17 charged with endangering a plane, following an incident at London Luton Airport on Friday last week.

He was arrested when industrial strength cleaning fluid allegedly leaked from his luggage onto a bag bound for a Monarch Airlines flight to Faro. The fire service rushed to the airport after the report of the leak, triggering a major security alert.

A spokesman for Luton Airport said: "The incident began at around 7.30am and it was noon before check-in was reopened. Police and firefighters trained to deal in hazardous materials and wearing protective suits were called to a baggage conveyer belt after the liquid spilled from a bag, causing the terminal to be evacuated."

The 170 passengers on board the Monarch flight were stranded on the runway for six hours until it was confirmed that no more luggage was contaminated.

Due to the scare 16 flights were delayed.