RAF fighter jets scrambled to escort passenger plane to airport in Scotland after mid-flight emergency
Volaris Airlines plane lands safely at Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
The RAF has scrambled fighter jets to escort a passenger plane to an airport in Scotland after it lost communication with the ground.
Typhoons were sent to find the Volaris Airlines Airbus A320 to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, where it landed safely yesterday afternoon.
The alarm was raised when the plane lost contact at around 2.40pm, triggering a mid-air emergency.
A spokesperson for the RAF said the Typhoon jets were sent at “supersonic speed”, triggering a loud sonic boom heard across Scotland.
“Quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft were launched today from RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth to identify an unresponsive civilian aircraft," he added.
“The Typhoon aircraft were authorised to transit at supersonic speed for operational reasons, any inconvenience caused to local residents is regretted.
“Communications were re-established and the aircraft has been safely escorted by the Lossiemouth aircraft to Prestwick Airport.”
The Mexican plane, which is understood to have been en route to Iceland, landed safely and an investigation is being carried out into the loss of communications.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said a full emergency response was put into action and the incident was under investigation.
“An aircraft has been diverted to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire around 2.40pm, following reports of a temporary loss of communication," she added.
“The aircraft landed safely at 3.57pm. Emergency services are in attendance to establish the full circumstances.”
Airport officials said some roads were temporarily closed as a precaution as investigations continued.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments