Fighter jets scrambled to UK-bound Ryanair flight after 'security threat' on board

German fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a UK-bound Ryanair flight after reports of a security incident on board.

The Boeing 737 had just departed from the Bulgarian capital of Sofia and was en route to London Stansted when a report was made about a "Palestinian man onboard who was planning to commit bad actions."

Two Eurofighter Typhoons were sent to intercept the plane as it crossed Serbia's airspace on Monday.

Czech authorities then denied it entry to its airspace due to the serious nature of the threat, forcing it to divert.

Bulgarian transport minister Grozdan Karadjov said the man who made the report was from the city of Plovdiv, and his ex-wife and two daughters were on board.

The plane landed safely at Stansted without issue, remaining there overnight amid an investigation into the claim.

Authorities later confirmed that the incident was a false alarm and there were no Palestinian passengers on the flight.

Karadjov said: "On board the flight indicated by him (Sofia - London/Stansted), his ex-wife and his two daughters are traveling.

"Upon inspection by the Border Police, it was established that there are no Palestinian citizens on board the plane."

"Additional security measures were introduced. The aircraft was not accepted into the airspace of the Czech Republic, which is why it was promptly redirected along a corridor over Germany, where it was accompanied by German Air Force fighter jets."

A Ryanair spokesperson said: "Buzz, the Polish charter airline was advised of a possible security issue on a Buzz flight FR9962 from Sofia to London Stansted on Monday.

"This issue was quickly resolved and de-escalated, which allowed the flight continue on to London Stansted where it landed on time, and passengers disembarked normally."