RAF rescue passenger flight after air traffic problems

An RAF jet was scrambled to help a passenger plane to land when the pilot lost contact with air traffic control yesterday.

The Scandinavian Air Services (SAS) flight from Copenhagen to Birmingham lost communication as it passed over Scotland and was forced to land at Prestwick airport at about 10am.

A Typhoon jet from RAF Leuchars was dispatched to escort the plane to its landing.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “Incidents of this kind happen relatively regularly and it’s one of the roles of RAF Leuchars to assist in them.”

Police, ambulance and fire crews were waiting at the airport in case of any problems with the landing, but they were stood down shortly after the SAS flight landed.

The plane, which was carrying 72 passengers, resumed its flight to Birmingham after the communications problem was fixed.