Stockholm, Jan 10 (IANS): An airport south of Stockholm was evacuated on Sunday after staff found a prohibited substance in a traveller's bag, local media reported.

Bomb technicians inspected the bag at Skavsta Airport after a passenger attempted to check in a bag containing either explosive or flammable powder, Xinhua news agency quoted police as telling Swedish Television.

"The owner of the bag has been identified and she is cooperating with us. She is an elderly woman who has not been arrested at this time," police spokesperson Roland Lindkvist told the channel.

All outbound flights were delayed after airport staff sealed off the airport's departures and luggage areas, daily newspaper Aftonbladet reported.

Police classified the incident as preparing to cause "devastation endangering the public", according to Swedish Television.

"There is no natural explanation at the moment, so we have to take care of this by calling in the bomb squad," Lindkvist said.

Police at lunchtime said there was no immediate threat to the airport, which hosts mainly international flights for several budget airlines.