RAF fighters were scrambled to Air India flight to Heathrow after a suspected “bomb threat”.
The Royal Air Force scrambled RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft on Thursday, with a “sonic boom” heard over Norfolk as the jets reached supersonic speeds.
A pilot on flight #AI129 from Mumbai reported a bomb threat as the plane approached Heathrow: “We have a suspected bomb on board, requesting priority landing.”
The flight was forced into a holding pattern prior to landing at the London airport as it was intercepted by the jets. The Typhoons were soon stood down and the flight was “released to continue to its original destination under the direction of civilian air traffic control”, the Royal Air Force confirmed.
A Royal Air Force spokesperson said: “We can confirm that RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft from RAF Coningsby were launched this afternoon, to investigate a civilian aircraft.
“Following an uneventful interception the aircraft was released to continue to its original destination under the direction of civilian air traffic control. This incident is now being handled under the control of civilian authorities.”
A loud sonic boom was reported across Norfolk at 12:40 BST as the fighter jets raced to intercept the airliner.