French fighter scrambled to intercept British passenger jet

War on terrorism: Air security

A French fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a British passenger plane that lost contact with air traffic control, the airline Go said on Friday.

A French fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a British passenger plane that lost contact with air traffic control, the airline Go said on Friday.

The discount airline said the incident happened Monday as flight GO116 headed to London from the Spanish resort of Malaga. As the plane entered French air space, it lost radio contact with French air traffic control.

"French air traffic control contacted the French military who alerted a French air force plane which was on exercises nearby," Go said.

The fighter flew alongside the Boeing 737 for about 10 minutes until contact was re-established with air traffic control.

The flight, carrying 126 passengers and five crew, landed on schedule at London's Stansted airport.

Go said all systems on the plane had been working normally. It has requested an explanation of the loss of contact from French and Spanish air traffic authorities.