A Manchester-bound flight from Lahore in Pakistan has been diverted to Stansted Airport amid reports of a security incident – just ten minutes before it was due to land.
Two men have been removed from the plane at Stansted Airport and arrested on suspicion of endangerment of an aircraft, according to police.
It is believed an RAF Typhoon jet was scrambled after an incident on board a Pakistani passenger aircraft within UK airspace.
According to Manchester Airport, the aircraft is a Pakistan International Airlines passenger plane, flight number PK709.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “A Typhoon aircraft has been launched to investigate an incident involving a civilian aircraft within UK airspace.”
He added that the Typhoon is from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
An Essex Police spokeswoman said: “An incident has occurred on an aircraft. Police and partners are responding.”
The plane, due to land at Manchester Aiport at 2pm, was carrying 297 passengers on board.
It is being held in an isolated area and the rest of the airport is operating as normal.
The incident is not thought to be terrorism-related at this stage.
Picture courtesy of Kuster & Wildhaber with thanks.
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