British police suspect CS gas could have caused a "chemical incident" that led to a three-hour evacuation of London City Airport.
The London Fire Brigade said it sent firefighters and chemical specialists to the airport in east London after reports that passengers began feeling unwell, but it declared the airport safe about three hours later.
The Metropolitan Police said a later search of the airport "led to the discovery of what is believed to be a CS gas or spray".
Officers are investigating if the incident "was the result of an accidental discharge of this canister (and) whether it may have been discarded by a passenger prior to check-in," the force said.
It said investigations were continuing and no arrests had been made.
The fire brigade said about 500 members of the public and staff were moved from the area before firefighters and police officers wearing protective equipment made two sweeps of the airport.
People queue outside London City Airport which has reopened after dozens of passengers were treated for breathing difficulties. (AAP) Source: AAP
"No elevated readings were found and the building was ventilated, searched and declared safe," it said.
The airport authority confirmed that it had reopened the building to passengers but warned that "access to terminal will be staggered and disruption to flights expected".
David Haye, a well-known British heavyweight boxer, said on Twitter that he was among the passengers moved on after "everyone started coughing uncontrollably".
Paul Green, assistant director of operations for London Ambulance Service said his staff had treated 26 people at the airport and taken two others to hospital after they experienced breathing difficulties.
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