[ad_1]
Two RAF jets were scrambled last night to intercept and escort a Jet2 plane over Essex after a security scare.
Essex Police said they were alerted to a ‘potential threat onboard’ the A321 aircraft flying from Dalaman, Turkey to Manchester.
The plane was then intercepted by two RAF Typhoons from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, forced to turn around mid-air, and then escorted to London Stansted airport, where up to 220 passengers were held while armed police searched the aircraft.
Police said that no threat was found onboard and the holidaymakers were later allowed to leave the plane.
Flight tracking data showed the Jet2 flight had left Dalaman at around 6.55pm local time, before flying over Europe and crossing the English Channel at around 7.45pm. The aircraft, operating under flight number LS922/EXS46Y, then appeared to change course shortly before 8pm.
According to tracking app FlightRadar24, the plane then performed a U-turn and descended in altitude over Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. It then continued to descend in the air above Essex, escorted by two RAF Typhoons, before landing at Stansted at around 8.22pm.
It then taxied to a remote stand away from the terminals amid reports of a bomb threat, where it was met by armed police.
Video showed multiple emergency service vehicles including fire engines, ambulances and police cars waiting outside the airport. According to AviationSource, sources within the airline said the flight was escorted to the ground after a ‘bomb threat made to the aircraft’.
Flight tracking data shows the two military aircraft dovetailing with the plane as it made its descent into the airport.
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: ‘We led a safety operation during which a Jet2.com flight from Dalaman to Manchester was diverted to London Stansted Airport this evening, Wednesday 12 October.
‘Shortly before 9pm, we received a report of a potential threat on board the flight. It was escorted to Stansted Airport, where it landed safely and was parked away from the main passenger terminal.
The grounded Jet2 plane forced to land at Stansted Airport last night
Emergency services at Stansted Airport after a Jet2 plane was intercepted by RAF jets
The Jet2 aircraft turned around in the air to the north of London before landing at Stansted
The flight from Dalaman in Turkey had been due to land at Manchester Airport last night
A photo claiming to be from the scene shows the aircraft
‘The runway was closed for a short time while enquiries were carried out. Officers were then able to establish there was no threat on board.
‘Onward travel was then organised for the passengers and the runway was re-opened.’
A spokesperson for Jet2 said: ‘We can confirm that flight LS922 from Dalaman to Manchester diverted to London Stansted this evening under the direction of the UK authorities.
‘The aircraft landed safely and taxied to a remote stand, and customers have now disembarked.
‘Our teams are working very hard to look after customers, and we would like to apologise to everyone onboard for any inconvenience or upset caused by this unforeseen incident.
‘We understand that the authorities were alerted to a potential security threat, however this has been downgraded and the incident has been declared as over.’
Earlier in the evening an RAF spokesman said it had scrambled jets to intercept a place ‘that was causing concern.
He said: ‘The RAF can confirm Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were launched this evening from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft that was causing concern.
‘The aircraft was safely escorted to Stansted Airport.’
Flight tracking data shows the two RAF jets dovetailing with the passenger aircraft as it made its descent into Stansted
Two RAF Typhoons (file image) were scrambled to intercept an aircraft that was ‘causing concern’, the RAF said
A spokesperson for Stansted Airport told MailOnline that airspace around the airport was closed for a ‘short period of time’ while the flight was escorted by military jets.
They added one incoming flight was diverted to allow this to happen and the runway was closed, but the airport has since fully reopened.
They said: ‘A Jet2.com flight from Dalaman to Manchester diverted to Stansted Airport this evening.
‘The plane landed safely and is parked on a remote stand away from the main passenger terminal.
‘The runway was closed for a short time but has now re-opened.’
Were YOU on the Jet2 flight? Tell us what happened by emailing jack.wright@mailonline.co.uk or calling 020 3615 4021
[ad_2]
Source link
