Domestic flights were grounded for several hours in Vancouver on Friday after a passenger went through security screening with a pocket knife. (CBC)

A short pocket knife caused some long delays at Vancouver International Airport on Friday after a traveller went through security screening with the 10-cm-long knife in his carry-on luggage.

Security staff spotted the knife on an X-ray machine around 10 a.m. but not until the passenger had already collected the bag and walked into the secure area of the domestic terminal.

At least 10 domestic flights were grounded for the next hour and a half while staff searched for the passenger and the knife.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority said there was no ill-will intended on the part of the passenger, and the airport hoped to clear up the backlog of travellers within a few hours.

At least 10 flights were grounded while staff searched for a passenger who went through securtiy screening with a pocket knife. (CBC)

The staff responsible for allowing the knife through security will be retrained, said officials with the CATSA.