A plane travelling from Dalaman in Turkey to Manchester had to be diverted instead to Stansted airport and accompanied by two Eurofighter Typhoon jets after authorities were alerted to a possible security threat.
The RAF confirmed that two Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft out of RAF Coningsby near Horncastle were involved in the response to the incident.
The Jet 2 flight was due to land at Manchester Airport at 9.40pm on Wednesday evening, but was diverted to the southern airport, where it landed shortly after 9.20pm.
LATEST: Police update after Manchester flight escorted to Stansted by RAF Typhoon jets
Flight tracking websites showed two RAF Eurofighter Typhoon jets accompanying the commercial flight for part of the journey. The plane was then taxied away from the main terminal.
The RAF confirmed that the fighter jets had been scrambled to an aircraft that was "causing concern". Jet2 later confirmed that the flight had been diverted at the request of UK authorities due to a "potential security concern". The exact nature of the concern has not been specified. Unconfirmed reports suggest that a bomb threat may have been made to the flight.
A woman whose friend is onboard said: "She rang me after they landed saying they'd been diverted due to a bomb threat but she didn't even realise it was her plane the threat was made against.
"Apparently nobody realised they were being escorted by fighter jets. They've been told they have to stay on the plane for now."
Another passenger posted to social media to say armed police had been spotted around the plane when it landed, but passengers were not informed why they'd made an unexpected stop.
He added: "No announcement about diversion until the plane was stopped on the ground. We didn't know we had fighter jets escorting us down, nobody on the plane seemed too bothered. We have not been told why we are here."
All flights from Stansted were grounded for a short period of time after the flight's arrival. The runway later reopened to air traffic.
A spokesperson for Stansted Airport 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 reopened.”
An RAF spokesman 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.”
A spokesperson for Jet2 added; "“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.”
The aircraft was met on the runway by officers from the Essex Police force. In a statement issued in the early hours of this morning, Essex Police said they established there was no threat on board.
A statement issued on social media read: "We led a safety operation during which a Jet2.com flight from Dalaman to Manchester was diverted to Stansted Airport tonight, Weds 2 Oct. Shortly before 9pm, we received a report of a potential threat on board. It was escorted to Stansted, where it landed safely.
"It was parked away from the main passenger terminal. The runway was closed for a 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."
This is a developing story, check back for more updates.
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