UK police arrest two after Pakistan flight is diverted under fighter jet escort

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of "endangerment of an aircraft" after the UK launched fighter jets to escort a Pakistan International Airlines flight from Manchester to Stanstead.

LONDON // Two men have been arrested on suspicion of "endangerment of an aircraft" after the UK launched fighter jets to escort a Pakistan International Airlines flight to a different airport today.

Flight PK709 from Lahore was due to land at Manchester Airport in north-west England at 2pm UK time (5pm UAE).

The plane was diverted to Stansted Airport, north-east of central London, after two typhoon fighter jets from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire were scrambled to intercept the plane east of York.

"Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby have been launched to investigate an incident involving an aircraft in UK airspace," a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.

The civilian flight was taken out over the North Sea and re-routed south to Stanstead, Britain's designated counter-terrorism airport.

The flight landed safely at 2.10pm local time where it was isolated from passenger areas and two men on board were arrested.

"Essex Police has boarded a passenger plane diverted to Stansted Airport and two men have been arrested on suspicion of endangerment of an aircraft," a police statement read.

"They have been removed from the plane. Police and partners are continuing to respond."

Stansted Airport said its flights were "operating as normal" after the following an incident on board.

Airport spokesman said no one was hurt on-board the flight.

Flight PK709 flight path - Credit Flight tracker