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Ryanair flight escorted to Stansted by RAF aircraft

RAF jets have escorted a Ryanair aircraft to Stansted airport.

The budget carrier’s flight was bound for Luton from Kaunas in Lithuania.

After being surrounded by the RAF aircraft, the Ryanair flight landed safely at around 8.55am on Wednesday October 4 and was met by officers from Essex Police.

Sky News reported that the incident was due to a hoax security alert made to Lithuanian authorities.

A spokesman for Stansted said: “Flight operations were briefly held while the aircraft landed and was taxied to its parking stand.”

Flights at Stansted were temporarily halted but the airport has since re-opened fully.

Essex Police said officers were on the scene while inquiries into the incident continued.

An RAF spokesman said: “The RAF can confirm Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were launched this morning from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft.

“The aircraft was safely escorted to Stansted Airport. The Typhoon aircraft were authorised to transit at supersonic speed for operational reasons; any inconvenience caused to local residents is regretted.”

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