RAF fighter jets scrambled after plane declares ‘bomb threat’ approaching London

The RAF has sent Typhoon fighter jets to intercept an Indian flight heading into London’s Heathrow Airport after it declared a ‘bomb threat’.

An Air India flight from Mumbai declared an emergency earlier this afternoon.

The pilot can be heard in a recording saying: ‘There is a suspected bomb on board, requesting landing sir. We have a bomb threat. Air India 129 is requesting this.’

Indian airlines have received a spate of threats to domestic and international flights on social media this month, all of which have turned out to be hoaxes.

A teenager was arrested over the bogus calls, with the country’s aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu vowing ‘very strict action’ will be taken.

On Tuesday, Singapore’s Air Force dispatched two fighter jets to escort an Air India Express plane following one such call.

A Royal Air Force spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm that RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft from RAF Coningsby were launched this afternoon, to investigate a civilian aircraft.

‘Following an uneventful interception the aircraft was released to continue to its original destination under the direction of civilian air traffic control.

‘This incident is now being handled under the control of civilian authorities.’

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