Police find ‘nothing suspicious’ on jet after emergency Stansted landing
Police have found nothing suspicious on board a passenger jet that made an emergency landing at London Stansted Airport over a bomb threat hoax.
The landing took place just before 10.30am today after two RAF Typhoons escorted the Air India B777 Flight 191 to Stansted.
The bomb threat turned out to be a hoax, with Essex Police confirming this afternoon that “there is nothing suspicious on board”.
The plane remained grounded at the airport, however, with passengers being supported by Stansted staff.
The jet had been flying from Mumbai in India to Newark in the US but it made a dramatic diversion to London this morning.
“An Air India Boeing 777 diverted into London Stansted Airport at approximately 10.15am and landied safely with Essex Police in attendance,” a spokesperson said this morning.
“It is parked on an isolated stand away from the normal airport operations.
“Our runway has now re-opened and is fully operational. We are very sorry for any delays and disruption caused by the incident, but our first priority is always the safety of passengers and staff.”
People in Derby heard a sonic boom this morning, with the police referring enquiries to the RAF, which later confirmed it was caused by the launch of the Typhoons, which flew from a base in Coningsby to accompany the passenger plane.
An RAF spokesperson 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.”