Quick reaction alert RAF Typhoon interceptors were scrambled on Wednesday morning and safely escorted the plane to Stansted Airport near London
As reproted by BBC Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets intercepted a Ryanair flight and diverted it to Stansted Airport following a suspected “hoax” security alert.
The service explained that quick reaction alert (QRA) Typhoon interceptors were scrambled on Wednesday morning and safely escorted the plane to the airport, near London.
Flights were temporarily grounded at Stansted but have since resumed.
According to Ryanair the flight from Kaunas in Lithuania to Luton was diverted “in line with procedures”.
Jonathan Zulberg, one passenger on the flight, explained that when passengers boarded the flight they saw fire engines and a police car but were not told about a threat being made.
He added that the flight was delayed for up to 40 minutes and he was told by a stewardess that a bomb threat had been made in Lithuania.
Mr Zulberg said the captain announced that a bomb threat had been made after the plane landed in the UK. “When I heard I was pretty surprised the plane was allowed to take off,” he said.
The Typhoon aircraft, that are kept on high alert and can take off “within minutes” from RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth to defend UK airspace, were authorised to travel at supersonic speed for the operation, RAF said.
Noteworthy Stansted is a designated airport for dealing with hijacks and major security alerts.
Essex Police said it had completed investigating the incident and confirmed it had not found anything suspicious.
A Ryanair spokesman said the plane landed normally and passengers are being transferred to Luton by coach.
Photo credit: Flightradar 24
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