Charles de Gaulle Airport was cordoned off and travelers told to leave the departure hall after security services were alerted to a suspect item apparently abandoned near the check-in area for an EgyptAir flight.

Charles de Gaulle Airport was cordoned off and travelers told to leave the departure hall after security services were alerted to a suspect item apparently abandoned near the check-in area for an EgyptAir flight.

Reports said restaurants near the airline's desk were at the centre of the evacuation.

Charles de Gaulle was the final departure point for the EgyptAir jet that crashed over the Mediterranean on Wednesday evening.

Channel 5 news reporter Julian Druker tweeted a video from the scene, showing police tape and security officers telling the public to clear the area.

Passengers are then seen running through one of the airport lounges.

Access to the airport's train station was temporarily closed and police dog handlers were deployed but security services later confirmed the alert had been a false alarm.