Shocking video footage shows the moment an easyJet flight from the UK was intercepted by a Spanish fighter plane. The Airbus A319 was travelling from Gatwick to Menorca when it was intercepted mid-air by an F18 fighter jet.
Dramatic footage shows the jet flying next to the passenger plane's orange liveried wing tip, leaving passengers stunned. The video shows the fighter pilot tipping his wings at the easyJet plane - indicating that its pilot should follow.
Flight EZY8303 was escorted to the Spanish island of Menorca where it landed about 30 minutes late. It was then detained on the tarmac at the airport for almost four hours.
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The footage has been viewed more than 60,000 times on Twitter. The incident has been attributed to "security concerns."
EasyJet confirmed that the incident happened yesterday (Sunday) and a spokesperson said: "easyJet can confirm flight EZY8303 from London Gatwick to Menorca was escorted by military aircraft while landing in Menorca and delayed disembarking due to precautionary security checks."
He added: "The passengers have since disembarked. The safety and security of its passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority and we would like to thank passengers for their understanding."
There are strict rules in place for when fighter jets intercept civilian planes with two jets having to approach an aircraft. According to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) rules, fighter jets should only intercept civilian planes as a "last resort".
One warplane then flies alongside the civilian aircraft while a second fighter hangs back behind the passenger jet's tail. Pilots then make visual contact and rock their wings up and down to acknowledge the intercept.
The civilian plane then follows the fighter jets to a nearby airport, in this case: Menorca.
Meanwhile, the summer holiday season looks set to be blighted by chaos. Spain-based cabin crew at Ryanair are planning to strike for 12 days this month in a bid for better working conditions.
The announcement came on the final day of the crews' current strike, which started on Thursday, forcing Ryanair to cancel 10 flights in Spain on Saturday.
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