A Jetstar flight was offloaded at Auckland Airport shortly after 2pm on Tuesday.

A security breach at Auckland Airport's domestic terminal was caused by a passenger going the wrong way through an exit gate.

Planes were offloaded and screening gates were closed following the incident at 2.10pm on Tuesday afternoon.

Security scare Auckland Domestic Airport Planes offloaded and screening closed pic.twitter.com/gTZtdw0uRH — Richard Harman (@RMAHarman) July 26, 2016

Aviation Security spokesman Mike Richards said a passenger, who was on his way to Wellington, bypassed security and forced his way through a 'shark's teeth' gate.

"Once the sterile area is beached an alarm is triggered and it is standard safety and security procedure to re-screen passengers in the area," he said.

"Delays are expected. Passengers have been sent back to land-side now for re-screening."

Richards said the passenger was understood to be running late.

Two or three departing flights would be delayed, but there would be no impact on arrivals, he said.

"It is frustrating that one passenger's thoughtlessness has caused this."

Passenger screening was recommenced just before 3pm.