MIAMI AIRPORT WAS evacuated yesterday evening after a suspicious object caused a major security alert.

Airport authorities detained one man, a 70-year-old scientist, after a metal canister was discovered in his luggage.

The cannister resembled a pipe bomb, but no explosives were found, the Huffington Post reports.

The alert closed down four out of the airport’s six concourses and the airport hotel as a bomb squad searched the complex. Outside, road access to the airport was closed

The airport fully reopened at 4am (9am Irish time) today, which is usually the start of the morning rush for air travel. Al Jazeera says that around 1,500 passengers were expected on flights between 4am and 6am.

The unidentified man remains in custody, but has not been arrested. AP reports that the man is an American citizen, and the FBI said he’s “being very cooperative”.

Anyone flying to or through Miami International Airport is advised to check with their carrier to see if there are any disruptions to their flights.