Two arrested on suspicion of terrorism after ‘potential security threat’ on Ryanair flight

Passengers left plane unharmed at Stansted, airline says

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences after RAF jets were forced to escort a Ryanair flight into the UK.

Typhoons were scrambled from RAF Coninsgby to intercept a passenger flight from Vienna to Stansted on Sunday night following a “potential security threat”.

Reports suggested suspicious items had been found in the toilets of the passenger jet.

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “The crew of a Ryanair flight from Vienna to London Stansted this evening [Sunday] alerted of a potential security threat on board.

“In line with procedures, the captain informed UK authorities and continued to London Stansted, where the aircraft landed normally and taxied to a remote stand where passengers disembarked safely.

“Passengers in London Stansted waiting to depart to Vienna were transferred to a spare aircraft to minimise the delay to their flight.”

Essex Police said it had arrested two men on suspicion of terrorism.

A spokesperson said: ”Counter-terrorism policing officers from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit have this evening [Sunday] detained two men under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act (2000).

“A 34-year-old man from Kuwait and a 48-year-old man from Italy were detained at London Stansted Airport, Essex, shortly after 7pm after arriving on a flight from Vienna, Austria.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”