Easyjet flight gets military escort following bomb threat

Passengers disembarking on steps from rear door of Easyjet Airbus 320 after landing at Lisbon Airport.
By Alexandra Coulton


An EasyJet flight has been intercepted by a Spanish fighter plane following an alleged bomb threat from a British teen.

The flight left London Gatwick for the Spanish island of Menorca on Sunday and was taken to a special separate area from the main terminal upon landing in Mahon, the island’s capital, where it was inspected by bomb disposal experts and sniffer dogs, according to the Guardian.

A passenger posted footage to Twitter appearing to show an F18 fighter warplane flying close to the EasyJet plane.

Menorca airport’s control tower was alerted to a bomb threat made by an 18-year-old British man which prompted the investigation.

A spokesperson for the Civil Guard told the Guardian it was made aware of the bomb threat while the plane was nearing its destination.

“The passengers were disembarked and established protocol followed until police were able to confirm it was a false bomb threat, and the person responsible was identified on social media along with five other companions as witnesses. They were taken to a police station so officers could clarify the situation.”

An EasyJet spokesperson confirmed flight EZY8303 was escorted by military aircraft while landing in Menorca and delayed disembarkation for precautionary security checks.

Image: iStock/tirc83

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