Staff ReporterAn Air India passenger plane has made a “precautionary landing” at London’s Stansted Airport after the airline initially reported a bomb threat.
Air India said the jet from Mumbai destined for Newark touched down at Stansted today. All flights at the airport were temporarily grounded.
Flight AI191 was flying from the Indian city of Mumbai to Newark in the US.
Typhoon jets were spotted in the airspace nearby.
Stansted later tweeted: “Our runway has now re-opened and is fully operational following a precautionary landing of Air India flight.
“We are sorry for any disruption caused by the incident and would like to thank you for your patience.”
An RAF spokesman confirmed a Typhoon was scrambled.
He 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.”
It was not known how many passengers were on board, the airport said.