“Potential bomb threat” on a commercial aircraft that flew Portugal

Air Force F-16 Airplanes activated to accompany flight. The crew of the civil plane decided to continue the flight to the destination airport outside the national territory.

The Portuguese Air Force (FAP) activated two F-16 aircraft this morning to accompany a civil plane that warned of “potential bomb threat” on board while flying over Portugal.

In a statement, FAP advances that the F-16M alert pair was activated at 09:00 after a civil plane declared “potential threat on board while crossing national airspace” and intended to be diverted to Faro Airport.

FAP indicates that, for the mission, they detached from Air Base No. 5, in Monte Real, two F-16m on permanent alert.

“With the F-16m to follow up in order to ensure the safety and good management of the national airspace, The crew of the civil plane decided to continue the flight to the destination airport, outside the national territory”, Says the Air Force, indicating that when the civil plane abandoned the national flight information region, responsibility moved to Spain and the F-16m delivered mission and returned to Monte Real.

Source of the sector told Lusa that the plane was going to Lanzarote and has already landed at the destination airport.

The Air Force also states that “guarantees a permanent F-16M warning to the National Air Defense, responding to all situations of guarantee of national sovereignty and good management and security of air traffic, in strict compliance with national and international recommendations.”