RAF Typhoons intercept Romanian aircraft

RAF Typhoons from Coningsby in Lincolnshire, intercepted a Romanian civilian plane with three crew after the aircraft lost communications, according to the Ministry of Defence. The Romanian Saab 340 plane travelling from Bucharest was escorted to Birmingham International Airport at about 7:30 GMT, where the runway was closed for half an hour. One Plane from Dublin was diverted to East Midlands Airport while the runway was closed.

A “Quick Reaction Alert” was deployed when the Typhoons were dispatched and used to intercept unidentified aircraft since they cannot be identified any other way.

A Voyager aircraft from Brize Norton in Oxfordshire was also dispatched to respond to the alert.