Ryanair flight from Krakow to Dublin is forced to make emergency landing at Stansted after cabin crew discover note in toilet claiming their were explosives on board
- Flight from Krakow in Poland to Dublin diverted to Stansted Airport this evening
- It followed reports of a loss of contact with the plane's pilot as it flew over the UK
- Two Typhoon fighter gets were scrambled from RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire
- Police say the incident involved a 'security alert' on the Boeing 737-800 aircraft
A security scare on a Ryanair flight which sparked the RAF to scramble two fighter jets was as a note claiming there was bomb on-board the plane, airlines bosses have tonight revealed.
The menacing note, found in the toilets of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft, said that explosives had been planted on-board the flight from Krakow to Dublin.
Ryanair say its pilot immediately alerted UK authorities before the plane was diverted to make an emergency landing at Stansted Airport.
Two Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, and a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) tanker scrambled from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, shortly before 6.30pm this evening.
A security scare on a Ryanair flight which forced an emergency landing at Stansted Airport (pictured) was a note claiming there was bomb on-board the plane, airlines bosses have tonight revealed
The menacing note, found in the toilets of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft (pictured), said that explosives had been planted on-board the flight from Krakow to Dublin
Two RAF Typhoon fighter jets (like this one pictured) were scrambled from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire
The RAF Typhoon jets are shown on a flight map leaving the area after the plane landed at Stansted Airport
The Ryanair flight from Krakow in Poland to Dublin was diverted to Stansted Airport this evening . Library image.
The two RAF jets escorted the plane to Stansted Airport, where police are currently checking the aircraft and its passengers - all of whom are safe.
Footage later emerged of armed police boarding the plane at around 7.35pm as it stood on the runway, the Sun reports.
After five minutes onboard, two officers appeared to escort a man from the aircraft, it said.
The man was said to be complying with police and was not wearing handcuffs. He was led to a police car on the runway which was then driven from the scene.
Other passengers were then seen leaving the plane from 8.20pm.
A spokesperson for Ryanair said: 'A Ryanair flight from Krakow to Dublin this evening discovered a note in one of the toilets claiming that there were explosives on board.
'The captain followed procedure by alerting the UK authorities and diverted to the nearest airport (Stansted) where the plane landed normally, but was taxied to a remote stand where passengers disembarked safely.The aircraft and passengers are being checked by the UK police who will decide when they may travel onwards to Dublin on a spare aircraft.
'Passengers in Dublin waiting to depart to Krakow are being transferred to a spare aircraft to minimise any delay to their flight.'
The spokesperson added: 'Ryanair apologises sincerely for the delay and inconvenience caused to those affected by this diversion".
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: 'A flight from Krakow to Dublin was diverted to Stansted Airport at around 6.40pm today due to reports of a security alert.
'The plane is currently at the airport and officers are making enquiries.'
The spokesperson added: 'We’ll bring you more information when we can.'
A spokesperson for Stansted Airport told The Sun that police are in attendance and that 'everybody is safe on-board'.
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