LONDON--London Luton Airport on Monday was evacuated due to security concerns with incoming flights suspended, said the airport authorities.

The airport, home to carriers such as EasyJet PLC (EZJ.LN), Europe's second biggest budget carrier, said the decision was taken in consultation with police "after a suspicious item was found in the security search area."

EasyJet said it has had to divert six flights, four to London Stansted in the northeast of the city, one to Birmingham and another to London Southend in the south east. The carrier said it would bus passengers to Luton.

A further 12 EasyJet flights were cancelled with planes unable to take off or land, the airline said. Other flights, including those of Ryanair Holdings PLC (RYA.LN) have also been affected.

Road traffic into the airport has also been stopped, said the airport authorities. The airport is about 30 miles north of central London.

-Write to Robert Wall at robert.wall@wsj.com

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