Travel chaos as unattended item forces terminal lockdown

Thousands of passengers at a major Australian airport are affected.

A major Australian airport has been thrown into chaos as federal police investigate an unattended item.

The emergency response was sparked about 4pm, with an exclusion zone set up around the international terminal.

7NEWS reports thousands of travellers are affected, either stuck outside or being escorted through alternative exits.

Check-in desks have been closed, and all staff have been removed from the terminal.

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It is not known how long the lockdown will be in place or how many flights could be impacted.