Yahoo News Air India flight makes 'precautionary landing' at Stansted Airport after hoax bomb threat
An Air India flight was diverted to Stansted Airport this morning after reports of a bomb threat that were later found to be a hoax.
RAF Typhoon jets were scrambled to escort the flight, which was en route from Mumbai to Newark Airport in the United States.
The plane made a ‘precautionary landing’ at the London airport.
In a tweet that was later deleted, Air India said the flight had been diverted due to a ‘bomb threat’.
An official from the airline reportedly later said the threat was a hoax and the plane took off again to continue its journey.
An RAF spokesman said: "The RAF can confirm Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were launched this morning from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft.
"The aircraft was safely escorted to Stansted Airport. The Typhoon aircraft were authorised to transit at supersonic speed for operational reasons; any inconvenience caused to local residents is regretted."
Residents in Derbyshire reported hearing a sonic boom, believed to be caused by the jets making their way from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to Stansted.
Tracking service Flightradar24 said Air India flight AI 191 had diverted to the London airport due to a bomb threat, tweeting a map showing the aircraft’s flight path and it turning round over Northern Ireland to land at Stansted.
Air India flight #AI191 just diverted to Stansted due to a bomb threathttps://t.co/XzwA9pssoa pic.twitter.com/udBo2K8ADY
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 27, 2019
Essex Police said an aircraft had been diverted to the Airport on Thursday morning after a "security alert".
A statement from the force said: "An aircraft was diverted to #Stansted Airport at around 9.50am today (Thursday 27 June) following reports of a security alert. The plane is currently at the airport and officers are making enquiries."
#UPDATE pic.twitter.com/gR7zYeS14K
— London Stansted Airport (@STN_Airport) June 27, 2019
London Stansted Airport 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."
