Military fighter jets were scrambled to accompany a Turkish Airlines plane following a suspected “terrorist threat” raised by the pilot regarding a potential onboard device. The Turkish Airlines flight TK1853, departing from Istanbul earlier in the day, was reported to have seven crew members and 148 passengers on board. Upon landing at Barcelona-El Prat Airport at 11am, concerns were raised about a possible artifact inside the Airbus A321 aircraft.
According to the Catalan news outlet, the plane was escorted by military aircraft after a threat was identified over the Mediterranean Sea in Italian territory at 10am. Spanish and French armed forces were engaged in the incident, leading to the safe landing of the flight in Barcelona. The aircraft landed on runway two after making several circles and was then moved to a secure area.
Subsequently, the Civil Guard officers boarded the plane while emergency services were deployed to the scene. Reports indicate that all luggage is undergoing inspection, with no explosives found thus far. Despite the ongoing situation, normal airport operations at El Prat Airport remain unaffected, although a general alert has been issued, activating the crisis committee.
Airport security experts familiar with protocols suggest that the current actions are standard procedure, and based on available information, the situation is likely a false alarm. Passengers have been relocated to the contingency room within the airport’s restricted area, and efforts are underway to inform their families.