After a bomb threat was discovered, a Spanish Air Force aircraft intercepted an EasyJet flight from London to Menorca.
On July 3, 2022, EasyJet flight EZY8303 traveled from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) in the United Kingdom to Mahon Menorca Airport (MAH) in Spain on board an Airbus A319 with the registration G-EZAO.
According to the regional media outlet Menorca Info, an emergency protocol was initiated when law enforcement discovered a bomb threat on social media. As the flight approached Spanish airspace, an F/A-18 Hornet fighter from the Spanish Air Force scrambled to intercept it.
Officers of the Spanish Guardia Civil, including a canine bomb-sniffing unit, inspected the aircraft as well as the onboard luggage and freight after landing at Menorca Airport before interrogating each passenger. The incident was ultimately determined to be a false alarm.
Un falso aviso de bomba en un vuelo Londres-Menorca de Easyjet ha provocado el aterrizaje del avión escoltado por un F18. La Guardia Civil ha confirmado que se trata de una falsa alarma. pic.twitter.com/nBaDQZTyCn
— SERmallorca (@SERmallorca) July 3, 2022
The incident caused some interference with airport operations, delayed by a few hours both the subsequent flight of the impacted aircraft as well as another Ryanair flight that was scheduled to depart.
@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
Photo cover via Twitter: @iandrleslie
