Police have dealt with a “security alert on a plane” at Stansted Airport after being scrambled on Wednesday evening (October 19).
The runway was initially closed and flight operations were temporarily suspended, with planes left circling in the air, while officers attended the scene at around 9.15pm. An A320 jet was relocated while investigations were carried out, with the runway now reopened.
The Essex force said in a statement: “We are now handling a security alert aboard a plane at Stansted Airport. While we do our investigations, the plane has been transferred to a secure area of the airport.”
According to Air Live, a ‘bomb threat’ was made against one of the planes on the runway. Stansted confirmed the plane was due to depart to Amsterdam.
It comes days after a passenger plane on the way to the UK from Dalaman, Turkey, was intercepted by two Typhoon fighter jets over a suspected bomb threat.
A statement was issued by Essex Police on social media just before 11pm on Wednesday night. It said: "We are currently dealing with a security alert on a plane at #Stansted Airport. The plane has been moved to a secure part of the airport while we carry out enquiries. The runway was closed for a short time but the airport is now fully open.
"Our officers worked quickly and robustly to resolve a security alert on board an EasyJet flight at Stansted, destined for Amsterdam, and arrest three people. We received a call reporting a security concern on a plane on the ground at the airport shortly after 7.40pm today.
"Officers responded quickly and worked with our partners at Stansted to move the plane to a secure area to carry out enquiries. This meant that the runway was closed for just a short time, keeping wider disruption to a minimum, and allowing the airport to fully re-open quickly.
"Specialist officers boarded the plane and removed three men who have all been arrested on suspicion of making a bomb hoax and they are currently in custody. Following a search of the plane we are satisfied there is nothing of concern on board.
"We’re now liaising with Stansted and EasyJet to return responsibility for the flight, and the decision regarding its onward journey, to them. We want to thank the other passengers on board for their patience and understanding."
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