RAF Typhoon fighter jets intercepted a flight from Kenya before the plane was stormed by armed cops over a “security threat”.
The Kenya Airways passenger flight, headed to the UK from Nairobi, was escorted by police on the tarmac at Stansted Airport just before 3.45pm on Thursday.
The passenger plane was due to land at London Heathrow before it was divertedX/PlaneAudits
Photos shared by passengers onboard the flight appear to show armed and masked officers standing in the exits
The plane headed to the UK and to be escorted by cops on the runway
The aircraft, a Boeing 787, was due to land at London Heathrow before it was intercepted.
Photos shared by passengers onboard the flight appear to show armed and masked officers standing in the exits.
The plane was then searched before being moved to a docking station where passengers could get off, according to reports.
One woman posted on Facebook: “On flight this morning from Nairobi to London Heathrow.
“Forty five minutes before we were due to land, we were told that we’d been diverted to Stansted.
“When we arrived in Stansted, loads of police cars.
“We’ve been surrounded by all the police. They’ve all got guns all dressed in black and are ID-ing us. Captain hasn’t even said anything.”
Kenya Airways confirmed that their headquarters received an alert of a potential security threat on the flight.
A Ministry Of Defence said the plane was then intercepted as a precaution before it was given security clearance.
A spokesperson said: “RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft from RAF Coningsby were launched as a precaution this afternoon to investigate a civilian aircraft which was approaching the UK.
“The civilian aircraft remained in contact with air traffic controllers throughout, and was escorted to Stansted Airport where it landed safely.
“This incident is now under the control of the civilian authorities.”
The aircraft have since returned to base.
Essex Police were called to the runway where they helped bring the flight to a remote stand.
The force said: “We are currently attending an incident at Stansted Airport.
“A flight travelling from Nairobi to Heathrow was diverted to Stansted this afternoon (Thursday 12 October).
“The airport remains open.”
An Essex County Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “Eight crews are in attendance at Stansted Airport.
“We are working with Essex Police and the airport to bring the incident to a successful conclusion.”
Stansted is the designated airport for dealing with security issues in the UK.
This is a developing story…
Twitter/AvSourceNewsThe aircraft was diverted to Stansted after originally being set for Heathrow[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
