London (Staff Report): A Heathrow-bound Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane was forced to land at London's Stansted Airport as RAF fighter jets intercepted and escorted on Tuesday evening over security threats.
The Ministry of Defence said that RAF Typhoon jets had intercepted the aircraft, which had been en route to London´s Heathrow Airport, and escorted it to Stansted.
According to British media, British authorities detained a 52-year-old suspect and shifted him to a police station on charges of financial embezzlement further.
British Police stated that the aircraft was diverted due to reports of a disruptive passenger that made threats to staff and passengers and caused security alert. The pilot pressed the alarm button and alerted the British authorities but there was no independent confirmation of that. Police said in a statement that the plane is currently at the airport and police investigation into the matter is underway, which is "not believed to be a hijack situation or terror matter".
PIA's PK757 flight passengers are stuck at the airport from last six hours while Stansted airport spokesman said that the aircraft is likely to resume its journey towards Heathrow today.
A PIA spokesman said in a statement that UK authorities received some ‘vague’ security threat through an anonymous phone call regarding PIA's Lahore-Heathrow flight PK-757 before its landing at Heathrow, after which, as per their standard procedures the aircraft was diverted to Stansted airport.
He furthed said that security clearance of the aircraft is underway and all passengers onboard are safe and being looked after by PIA's local management.
the statement further added, “Passengers will be provided surface transport to London. For the return flight efforts are underway to ensure least inconvenience to passengers.”
A spokesman for Stansted said the diverted plane was a Pakistan International Airlines flight from Lahore.
