Part of Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport was shut down after a pilot accidentally sparked fears a plane had been hijacked.
Police raced to the airport - one of the most popular destinations from Newcastle International Airport - on Wednesday evening amid reports of a "suspicious situation".
However, an airline has now apologised for sparking the panic in which passengers were evacuated from a plane.
"False alarm. In the flight Amsterdam-Madrid this afternoon was activated, by mistake, a warning that triggers protocols on hijackings at the airport," tweeted Air Europa.
"Nothing has happened, all passengers are safe and sound waiting to fly soon. We deeply apologize."
According to the BBC , flights were still landing at other parts of the airport during the chaos although an area was closed to the public as officials invesitgated.
Over 70 million passengers pass through Schiphol each year, making it one of the busiest airports in Europe.
