RAF Typhoon Jets Escort Plane After Passenger Threats

Two RAF Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled to escort a diverted passenger plane to Stansted airport in the UK earlier today, after threats were made by a passenger.

An Etihad plane was traveling from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow, was diverted after the pilot reported a passenger causing disruption and making threats.

The threats were obviously considered serious enough to divert the plane to Stansted airport, which is the designated airport in the UK to handle hostage and hijacking events and to scramble fighter jets to the scene.

Fighter jets are normally scrambled to accompany an aircraft as the final line of defence in situations where the plane could be used as a flying bomb. Under such circumstances, the jets can then be used to shoot down the plane if necessary.

After arrival at Stansted, a 37 year old British national was arrested. There were no injuries and the airport was operating normally after the event.

A Etihad Airways spokeswoman tried to play down the significance of those threats by issuing a statement – “It was a question of inappropriate comments made on the flight and a disruptive passenger. There was no threat to the safety of the aircraft or the passengers.”