Fighter jet intercepts after teen’s alleged bomb hoax on easyJet flight

A fighter jet was dispatched to escort an easyJet plane to Menorca, Spain, where an 18-year-old boy was arrested on the runway.

A British teenager could face a huge $100,000 fine after he allegedly made a bomb threat on-board an easyJet flight to Menorca, Spain.

The security alert prompted Spanish authorities to dispatch a F18 fighter jet to escort flight EZY8303 on Sunday before the 18-year-old was arrested on the runway.

The teen is believed to have been part of a group of friends who were travelling to the Mediterranean holiday island for a celebration.

It has now emerged that the teen could face a huge compensation bill as well as several civil and criminal charges, The Sun reports.

Aviation expert Julian Bray said the Spanish military had scrambled its “Top Gun” fighter jet to escort the Airbus A319 at a huge cost for the airline.

The F18 was spotted flying alongside the easyJet plane. Picture: Abigail Leslie/Robin Powell

“They are on constant alert, but the cost of scrambling an aircraft, plus the cost of fuel, would be anything over £50,000 ($A100,000), possibly more.”

Mr Bray explained that the Spanish Ministry of Defence may decide to charge the airline for the cost of the aircraft as well as for the police operation, with the cost being passed down to the teenager if convicted.

The airline captain “who has the ultimate authority” could demand that the person responsible for “making a bomb threat” is prosecuted, Mr Bray added.

“Under the air navigation laws, the penalties for endangering an aircraft can go up to 25 years,” he said.

The teenager, who is an adult under Spanish law, could also be brought in front of a Spanish court, as well as being handed a worldwide ban from the airline company.

The pilot can be seen behind the controls of the Spanish fighter jet. Picture: Abigail Leslie/Robin Powell

“Plus, easyJet could take civil action, so it could be very hefty,” Mr Bray added.

“They will look for reparations for the cost of investigating the plane, the time spent on the ground, checking all luggage, scrambling a new crew and pilot and subsequent delayed flights.”

Video shows fighter jet escort

Footage shared on social media shows the fighter jet – the same plane which Tom Cruise flies in Top Gun – next to the passenger jet’s distinct orange and white wing.

The video shows the pilot tipping his wings at the easyJet plane – a symbol understood by pilots to mean “follow me”.

EasyJet flight EZY8303 was then escorted as the plane touched down on the Spanish island of Menorca.

The plane landed around 30 minutes late after the mid-air drama. Specialist officers and sniffer dogs then boarded to check the aircraft, with passengers reportedly kept on the tarmac for four hours while the checks took place.

And the incident reportedly led to a Ryanair plane leaving two-and-a-half hours late to London.

On Monday, a Spanish police spokesman confirmed: “The Civil Guard has arrested an 18-year-old British national as the alleged author of a crime of public disorder in Mahon in Menorca.

Sniffer dogs participated in the police investigation. Picture: Solarpix/Australscope

“Yesterday, the control tower at Menorca Airport was alerted to a bomb threat on a plane heading from London to the island capital Mahon which was still in the air and nearing the airport.

“The threat was said to have been sent on a social media platform.

“Once the plane landed, it was taken to an area away from the main terminal and other aircraft.

“The Civil Guard organised a special operation which consisted of mobilising bomb disposal experts as well as sniffer dogs and other officers who created a safe perimeter around the plane.

@easyJet #a319 G-EZAO intercepted by Spanish Air Force on way to Menorca. passengers not being allowed to leave yet. @BigJetTVLIVE @BBCNews @SkyNews @SkyNewsBreak pic.twitter.com/MTWkQnU39x

— Ian Leslie ❤️🇺🇦❤️ (@iandrleslie) July 3, 2022

“The passengers were disembarked and established protocol followed until police were able to confirm it was a false bomb threat and the person responsible was identified on social media along with five other companions as witnesses.

“They were taken to a police station so officers could clarify the situation.”

It was not immediately clear today if the unnamed teenager has already appeared before a judge in a closed court hearing or where he is now.

EasyJet confirmed the incident when contacted by The Sun Online.

A spokesman said: “EasyJet can confirm flight EZY8303 from London Gatwick to Menorca was escorted by military aircraft while landing in Menorca and delayed disembarking due to precautionary security checks.

“The passengers have since disembarked.

“The safety and security of its passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority and we would like to thank passengers for their understanding.”

The easyJet aircraft was on the ground for hours while police carried out their investigation. Picture: Solarpix/Australscope

Jet the same one used in Top Gun movie

F18s are some of the most recognisable planes in the world thanks to their starring role in Top Gun.

The jets are used by the US Marine Corps, the Spanish Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Finnish Air Force – among others.

Crewed by one pilot, they are capable of supersonic speeds up to 1915km/h.

And they are bristling with weapons, armed with a Vulcan 6 barrel cannon while being capable of carrying air-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and a payload of bombs.

Fighter jets follow strict guidelines when they intercept civilian planes – with the rules saying two jets must approach the aircraft.

European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) rules say that fighter jets should only intercept civilian plans as a “last resort”.

One of the warplanes then pulls alongside while the second fighter hangs back behind the passenger jet’s tail.

The pilots make visual contact and rock their wings to acknowledge the intercept.

And then the civilian plane will follow the warplane to a nearby airport – which is this case was Menorca.

The Sun Online has contacted the Spanish Ministry of Defence for comment.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and is republished here with permission