'Bomb threat' on flight to Lanzarote as fighter jets scramble to intercept plane

Irish Daily Mirror

19 hours ago

Portuguese Air Force jets were scrambled this morning after a bomb threat was reported on a civilian plane crossing national airspace.
The passenger aircraft, believed to be headed for Lanzarote in Spain, received emergency support from authorities at Monte Real Air Base.
Two F-16 fighter jets were sent to help support the aircraft. They left the air base on permanent alert after the bomb threat was reported and located the plane, Mirror UK reports.
Initially, the flight was set to divert to Faro Airport in southern Portugal, but the crew continued to their original destination, landing safely at Lanzarote Airport in the Canary Islands.
A Portuguese Air Force spokesperson said: "This morning, at 9:00 am, the Air Force activated the F-16M alert pair after a civilian aircraft declared a potential bomb threat on board when crossing national airspace, intending to divert to Faro Airport.
"For the mission, two F-16Ms took off from Air Base No. 5, in Monte Real, on permanent alert. With the F-16Ms already monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and good management of national airspace, the crew of the civilian aircraft decided to continue the flight to the destination airport, outside national territory.
"Upon leaving the national flight information region, responsibility passed to Spain, with the Portuguese F-16Ms carrying out the handover of the mission and subsequent return to Monte Real.
"The Air Force guarantees a permanent alert of F-16M for national air defense, responding to all situations to guarantee national sovereignty and good management and safety of air traffic, in strict compliance with national and international recommendations."