British police today arrested a man they suspect of sparking a major bomb scare that briefly caused London's Gatwick Airport to close.

Officers were called to the Gatwick, south of London, shortly before 7 a.m. after a passenger on board an Emirates flight from Dubai found a note which implied there was a suspicious device on board the plane.

When the aircraft arrived in London it was taken to a secure holding area and the airport was temporarily shut as the crew and 164 passengers were taken off.

The airport reopened shortly afterwards, and although some flights were delayed there was no major disruption.

Police said after a search of the plane and luggage, a man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of involvement in a bomb hoax.

"This was potentially an extremely serious situation and we immediately mounted an emergency response," said Chief Inspector Ed Henriet.

"We are very grateful for the calm and understanding response from those directly affected, including the passengers who were on board and those waiting to meet them."