Latest news with #F-16M
Extra.ie
13 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Fighter Jets escort holiday flight to Spain after 'bomb threat'
Portuguese Air Force jets were scrambled to accompany a flight full of holidaymakers bound for Lanzarote after reports of a bomb on board. The action was taken after a 'bomb threat' was reported to the crew on board the jet, causing pilots to request permission to land in Faro, Portugal. A statement from the Portuguese Air Force said: 'This morning, at 9am, 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'. A stock image of a F16 fighter jet. Pic: Getty Images The plane was later given permission to travel on to its intended destination of Lanzarote and landed safely and without other incident. The statement from the Portuguese Air Force concluded with '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'. A full investigation is underway as to what caused the alert and who was responsible.
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Daily Record
Fighter jets deployed in Portugal after commercial plane declares 'bomb threat'
The plane landed at Lanzarote Airport after receiving help from the Portuguese Air Force. Air force jets were scrambled to the skies this morning in Portugal after a bomb threat was detected on a plane as it crossed national air space. Two fighter jets were sent to help support a commercial plane, believed to be heading to Spain, as it received emergency assistance from the authorities in Monte Real. The air force located the plane after a bomb threat was reported. It was set to divert to Faro Airport, however it managed to land at the intended place, Lanzarote Airport. The Mirror reports that 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. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "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." This comes after reports suggested the head of the RAF is set to be appointed as the new chief of the British armed forces, according to reports. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton is thought to be in line to be the next Chief of Defence Staff. The position is currently held by Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who has been in the role since 2021. According to his biography on the Government website, Sir Richard joined the RAF in 1989 as a university cadet, and served as deputy chief of the defence staff from 2019 to 2022. The appointment comes as the Government has pledged to increase defence spending in the UK to 2.5% of gross domestic product on defence from April 2027, with a goal of increasing that to 3% over the next parliament, a timetable which could stretch to 2034. The Ministry of Defence said: 'This is speculation. The appointment process is ongoing and any announcement will be made in the usual way.'
Irish Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Bomb threat' on flight to Lanzarote as fighter jets scramble to intercept plane
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."
