Larnaca airport authorities were on red alert for three hours on Monday after a flight from Moldova landed and was sent to a special area for investigation, following information that a suspicious person was on board.

The plane, with 104 passengers and crew on board, landed just before 11am and was kept away from other planes and the airport building.

Armed police officers boarded the plane and removed the suspicious person, who was then interrogated at the airport.

Sources said it was a man from Moldova, who had visited Cyprus on various occasions.

The authorities were investigating why he returned to Cyprus and had also requested information from Interpol about the person – who had not been arrested – as well as the person in Moldova who notified the authorities that the passenger was dangerous.

Sources said the red alert was due to a suspicious passenger, however they clarified it was not a hijack.

Civil Aviation in cooperation with Hermes set all necessary protocols in motion and Larnaca airport reopened after three hours.

During that time, all 103 passengers remained on board until their luggage had been searched.

Just before 2pm, the passengers disembarked and the plane was moved from the special security area.

Larnaca airport remained closed for ten minutes and a flight from Qatar was redirected to Paphos airport.

Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades said the planes landing at Larnaca were being kept at a distance from the plane from Moldova.

Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said information had been received that the suspicious passenger was on board the flight from Moldova.

When the information was received, security measures were immediately put in place for landing and the police and fire department were mobilised.

Hartsiotis said the suspect was interrogated and that the information was being evaluated.

The police then announced on Monday evening that the suspect had been released without charge.