Fighter Jets escort holiday flight to Spain after 'bomb threat'
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.
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