The luxury Gulfstream IV with three people on board was on a flight from Lagos to Luton on Wednesday night.Air traffic controllers lost radio contact with the jet and scrambled two Typhoons from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
The drama led to a temporary suspension of scheduled flights at Stansted, the UK's designated airport for hijacks and terrorist alerts.
We can confirm that Typhoon aircraft were launched from RAF Coningsby in their quick reaction alert role last night to investigate a civilian light aircraft which had lost radio contact with air traffic control. Post an uneventful interception, the civilian aircraft was escorted to Stansted where it landed safely. The Typhoon aircraft then returned to base.
– RAF STATEMENT
Military jets were deployed on a precautionary bases when a private jet was diverted to Stansted. This was due to a loss of communication with the aircraft. The aircraft landed safely at Stansted airport at 7.49pm. All three people who were on board have been spoken to by police, it was established everything was in order and the police response was stood down.
– ESSEX POLICE