Security scare at Melbourne Airport

A man has walked into a secure area at Melbourne Airport sparking a security scare, causing plane delays and hundreds of passengers to be rescreened.

Qantas said the man walked into the secure area by going through exit doors, and even though it is not thought he had suspicious intentions, the matter would be referred to the federal police.

There will also be an internal investigation into the incident which occurred about 9.30am.

A Qantas spokesman said they were not sure why the man entered through exit doors, but hundreds of passengers had to be rescreened and five planes would be delayed for up to an hour.

"We are not sure why he went through that door," he said.

A disgruntled passenger told Sky News he thought Qantas had handled the situation badly.

No one from the airline had informed him of the procedures for rescreening, he said.

- AAP