PROPERTY SEARCH
ARCHIVED - WATCH: Spanish fighter jet intercepts easyJet plane following Brit bomb threat
A young British man posted the fake bomb scare on social media in Menorca
As if holidaymakers weren’t experiencing enough disruption and upheaval at the moment, between easyJet and Ryanair strikes and masses of delays and cancellations, Spain-bound tourists had a nasty shock this week when their easyJet flight was intercepted by a fighter jet following a bomb threat.
According to official sources, an 18-year-old British citizen posted on social media that an explosive device had been placed on the plane travelling from London Gatwick to Menorca, and the F18 aircraft escorted the flight until it landed safely in Mahón, the island’s capital, on Sunday July 3.
Once grounded, the easyJet plane was taken to a separate area well away from the main terminal and bomb disposal experts and sniffer dogs went to work on the aircraft.
Thankfully, no explosive device was located and it was determined to be a hoax.
The young British man has since been arrested and will likely be forced to foot the bill of the costly police operation.
A spokesperson in Spain said: “The Guardia Civil 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’s capital, Mahón, which was still in the air and nearing the airport. The threat was said to have been sent on a social media platform.
“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.”
An easyJet spokesperson added: “EasyJet can confirm flight EZY8303 from London Gatwick to Menorca was escorted by military aircraft while landing in Menorca and delayed disembarking due to precautionary security checks.
“The safety and security of its passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority, and we would like to thank passengers for their understanding.”
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
OR
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
25% Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain:
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268
