RAF Typhoons are scrambled as ‘bomb threat’ forces US-bound Air India flight to make a ‘precautionary landing’ at Stansted Airport
- The Boeing 777 plane was travelling from Mumbai to Newark in the US today
RAF fighter jets today escorted an Air India jet heading to New York after it was diverted to Britain after a bomb threat.
The Boeing 777 plane, which holds up to 396 passengers, was travelling to Newark in the US from Mumbai before being diverted to London Stansted at 9.50am this morning after a ‘security alert’.
There were reports of a sonic boom over the Midlands after the RAF Typhoons flew from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to meet the jet and escorted it to the Essex airport.
Footage from the ground shows a Typhoon screeching across the sky near Stansted, where the runway was briefly closed before being opened again.
The 15hr flight from India to America was turned around over Northern Ireland with airline calling the diversion a ‘precautionary measure’.
The 777 is being held in a secluded area of Stansted, which is Britain’s designated airport for bomb threats and hijackings, as police investigate.
The Boeing 777 plane was travelling from Mumbai to Newark before being diverted to London Stansted this morning after trouble on board
RAF Typhoons were filmed screeching across the sky near Stansted, causing a sonic boom as they flew from Lincolnshire
The RAF were called to escort the plane, briefly causing a loud bang as they hit top speed to escort the passenger plane, which carries up to 396 people. It is not known how many people are on board
Stansted has confirmed that a security alert on the plane forced them to briefly shut the airport
Essex Police said an aircraft has been diverted to Stansted Airport on Thursday morning after a ‘security alert’.
A statement said: ‘An aircraft was diverted to Stansted Airport at around 9.50am today following reports of a security alert. The plane is currently at the airport and officers are making enquiries.’
Air India tweeted that it was a bomb threat but then deleted the social media post.
A loud bang reported by several residents of Derby on social media has been linked to the unscheduled landing of the Air India Boeing 777 flight at Stansted.
The noise was believed to be a sonic boom caused by the two RAF jets escorting the plane into the airport.
Residents first reported hearing the noise just after 10am today.
Stansted Airport said its runway had now re-opened after the emergency landing.
In a statement posted to Twitter it said: ‘An Air India Boeing 777 diverted into London Stansted Airport at approximately 10.15hrs and landed safely with Essex Police in attendance. It is parked on an isolated stand away from the normal airport operations.
‘Our runway has now re-opened and is fully operational. We are very sorry for any delays and disruption caused by the incident, but our first priority is always the safety of passengers and staff. Thank you for your patience.’