Breaking news - security alert on Luton bound Ryanair flight

File photo dated 19/05/10 of a Ryanair plane lands at East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire. The budget airline is to slash its 2010/11 winter capacity by 16%. Ryanair will be cutting winter flights at most of its other UK bases, except Edinburgh and Leeds Bradford, and will - overall - fly two million fewer passengers than last winter. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday June 29, 2010. See PA story AIR Ryanair. Photo credit should read: Lewis Stickley/PA Wire ENGEMN00120130521162631

A security scare on board a Ryanair flight that was escorted by RAF jets and saw flights at Stansted Airport grounded was a suspected hoax, the

airline said.

Passengers were evacuated after plane was diverted from its route between Kaunas, Lithuania, and Luton Airport, and forced to land at Stansted, Essex, at around 8.55am on Wednesday.

A Ryanair spokesman said: “This flight from Kaunas to London Luton diverted to London Stansted in line with procedures after Lithuanian authorities received a suspected hoax security alert.

“The aircraft landed normally at Stansted and customers will be transferred to Luton by coach when cleared to do so.”

The RAF Typhoon jets were sent from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire to intercept the aircraft, the Ministry of Defence said.

A sonic boom echoed across the Suffolk skyline when the jets were scrambled, Suffolk Police confirmed.

An RAF spokesman said: “The RAF can confirm Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were launched this morning from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft.

“The aircraft was safely escorted to Stansted Airport. The Typhoon aircraft were authorised to transit at supersonic speed for operational reasons; any inconvenience caused to local residents is regretted.”