Victoria International Airport estimates about 1,800 passengers affected while it shut down due to an explosives scare

An official at Victoria International Airport estimates about 1,800 passengers were affected when it shut down due to an explosives scare.

RCMP say they were called yesterday after a security employee spotted what appeared to be an incendiary device in a bag during a routine scan.

They say two bags contained what the Mounties' explosives disposal unit determined were ``inert military surplus explosives'' and the man who claimed them has been released from custody with an upcoming court date.

The airport's director of community relations says about 20 flights were cancelled, and police are reminding travellers to make sure items in their luggage on permitted on planes before flying.