A MAN was arrested yesterday after a passenger jet was diverted to Stansted Airport under an RAF escort.

The Etihad flight, bound for London’s Heathrow Airport, was redirected after a passenger began making threats.

Two RAF Typhoon jets were scrambled to accompany the airliner before it landed shortly before midday.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said a 37-year-old British national was arrested at Stansted Airport.

She said: “A 37-year-old man, a British national, has been arrested following an incident onboard an Etihad Airways plane travelling from Abu Dhabi to Heathrow.

“The pilot reported a passenger causing disruption and making threats. The plane was diverted to Stansted Airport were it landed just before midday.

“No-one has been injured and the airport has been operating normally.”

A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: “Typhoon aircraft were launching this morning to escort a passenger aircraft due to an incident on board. The aircraft landed safely at Stansted Airport.”

An Etihad Airways spokeswoman said the flight, EY19, was diverted because of a passenger.

She said: “The flight was diverted from Heathrow to Stansted. This was done to offload a disruptive passenger.

“It was a question of inappropriate comments made on the flight and a disruptive passenger. There was no threat to the safety of the aircraft or the passengers.”