A Ryanair flight from Kaunas, Lithuania to Luton was diverted Wednesday morning after authorities in Lithuania received what was suspected to be a hoax security alert. The plane was escorted into London Stansted Airport by Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon Fighter Jets.

The Telegraph reports that authorities closed the airspace over the airport temporarily while the plane landed, and armed police awaited on the tarmac as nervous passengers deplaned from the Ryanair aircraft. According to Essex Police, flights were temporarily delayed, but the airport is now open and operating as normal.

Sonic booms rang out over the countryside

According to Suffolk Police, when the fighter jets were launched, a sonic boom echoed across the countryside. A spokesman for the RAF said they could confirm that Typhoon fighters had been launched from RAF Coningsby to intercept the civilian aircraft. The statement continued by saying the fighter jets had been authorized to travel at supersonic speed and went on to apologize for any inconvenience caused to local residents.

Cabin crew member used the word ‘bomb’ when speaking to a passenger

As reported by the Mirror Online, shortly after a security alert had been announced on the plane, one passenger on the Ryanair flight said he felt “helpless” after a flight attendant allegedly used the word “bomb” while still in mid-air.

Jonathan Zulberg, 34, said he was in the front row of the plane when it was announced that the flight would divert to London Stansted Airport, and he asked the flight attendant closest to him what had happened. According to Zulberg, she responded by saying a Bomb Threat had been made against the Ryanair plane, something he says he wishes he had not heard.

He said people sitting next to him on the plane asked the flight attendant questions in Lithuanian, saying the whole thing was surreal, as she was acting “pretty nonchalant” over the situation. According to Zulberg, none of the other passengers knew about the alleged “bomb threat” until the captain announced it on landing at London Stansted Airport.

Security alert was a hoax

Essex Police later said in a statement that they had completed their inquiries and found nothing suspicious on the Ryanair plane. Chief Inspector Richard Phillibrown told the media they take all information regarding potential security threats very seriously, saying the public’s safety is paramount. He went on to thank London Stansted Airport and the passengers and crew on the diverted plane for their co-operation and patience.

According to a spokeswoman for National Air Traffic Services, claims in the media that the airspace over London was closed are not correct. The reason for the diversion to London Stansted is that it is a designated airport used for major security alerts or plane hijackings.
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