An easyJet flight to Menorca was intercepted by Spanish fighter jets due to a British holidaymaker allegedly making a bomb threat whilst on board.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the 18-year-old was arrested upon landing in the Mediterranean holiday island on Sunday (July 3).
The tourist, who is believed to have been part of a group of friends who boarded the Gatwick flight, now faces a potential fine worth thousands of pounds after the alleged threats.
The alarm was sounded on flight EZY8303 when it approached landing just before 5pm yesterday.
easyJet flight from London Gatwick to Menorca escorted by military aircraft after a false bomb alert. EZY8303 landed safely, passengers had to identify themselves and verify their luggage on arrival.
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) July 4, 2022
📹 iandrleslie pic.twitter.com/FMkCmuj0ww
Video footage showed it being escorted by a Spanish Airforce F18 fighter jet before it reached its destination.
When the fighter jet was alongside the easyJet plane, it 'tipped' its wings at the pilot which was an indicator to follow it, and then it escorted it down to Menorca airport.
A spokesman for the Civil Guard said in a statement yesterday (July 4): "The Civil Guard has arrested an 18-year-old British national as the alleged author of a crime of public disorder in Mahon in Menorca.
"Yesterday the control tower at Menorca Airport was alerted to a bomb threat on a plane heading from London to the island capital Mahon which was still in the air and nearing the airport.
"The threat was said to have been sent on a social media platform.
"Once the plane landed it was taken to an area away from the main terminal and other aircraft.
Great start to the Holiday. Escorted into land in Menorca. @easyJet pic.twitter.com/qQikMaYegz
— Scott Eagle (@Sme7) July 4, 2022
"The Civil Guard organised a special operation which consisted of mobilising bomb disposal experts as well as sniffer dogs and other officers who created a safe perimeter around the plane.
"The passengers were disembarked and established protocol followed until police were able to confirm it was a false bomb threat and the person responsible was identified on social media along with five other companions as witnesses.
"They were taken to a police station so officers could clarify the situation."
Passengers were reportedly kept on the tarmac for four hours while the plane was checked out.
An easyJet spokesman said all passengers had since disembarked, adding: "The safety and security of passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority and we would like to thank passengers for their understanding."
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