FLIGHT SCARE
RAF Typhoon jets scramble to escort plane landing at Manchester Airport after it ‘loses contact’
The plane was travelling from Oslo to Manchester when it circled near Newcastle before safely landing at its destination.
RAF jets intercepted a UK-bound passenger plane today following an incident mid-flight.
Two Typhoons swooped on Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) flight SK 4609 after the Airbus A320 paseenger jet lost communications.
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The plane was travelling from Oslo in Norway to Manchester when it circled near Newcastle before safely landing at its destination.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police were pictured surrounding the aircraft as it touched down shortly after 12.48pm on Monday.
An MoD spokesperson said Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were scrambled from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, to assist.
They added: "Subsequently, communications were re-established, the aircraft was intercepted and safely escorted to Manchester.”
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A spokesperson for Manchester Airport confirmed the plane was escorted by the RAF this afternoon.
They said: "We understand that to have been a technical fault and comms has now been restored.
"The flight was destined for Manchester so passengers haven’t been displaced but we have put on extra staff to support any passengers that may need it."
A representative for Scandinavian Airlines added: "Flight SK4609 from Oslo to Manchester this afternoon underwent an escorted landing in response to a brief and temporary loss of communication.
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"A standard procedure was initiated but there was never any danger to the flight or its passengers.
"The flight landed safely in Manchester and the departing passengers are about to take off to Oslo.
"An investigation has been launched and the matter is being handled by relevant authorities as per standard procedures and we cannot comment any further."
An RAF escort is standard procedure for planes that experience issues like communication loss.
The incident is the latest to rock an SAS flight.
In December, a Russian-Israeli travelled from Denmark to Los Angeles without a passport or ticket.
He gorged on second helpings of the in-flight meal and even tried to snaff chocolate belonging to the cabin crew.
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