British Airways terror fears: Plane held on Paris tarmac & evacuated after 'DIRECT THREAT'
A BRITISH AIRWAYS plane as been held on the tarmac at a Paris airport following a security threat.
Police surround British Airways flight following security alert
Armed police and fire vehicles have reportedly surrounded the Airbus A320 following reports of a "direct threat" while the flight has been evacuated at the Charles De Gaulle airport.
Passengers were evacuated at around 8am and ordered to move "single file" onto the runway.
Passengers tweeted their ordeal from the tarmac.
James Anderson tweeted: "On British Airways flight BA0303, currently being held on tarmac at Paris due to security threat, surrounded by police and fire vehicles.
"Apparently an individual has made a direct threat to this aircraft. We will all be led off the aircraft & baggage searched in due course."
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Mr Anderson, 20, said armed officers are searching passengera and luggage with sniffer dogs.
He wrote: “Everybody’s been individually searched by armed officers and given all clear. Now hold luggage being searched by dogs.”
Amichai Stein reported on Twitter that passengers and luggage have now been cleared.
The flight heading to London Heathrow airport was delayed for more than three hours.
TWITTERThe plane was due to depart the airport at 7.25am.
Passengers were reportedly informed shortly before take off that a "direct threat" had been made against the aiport.
British Airways wrote on its website: “We’re very sorry, this flight has been delayed significantly".
Mr Anderson told Express.co.uk: "Initially the pilot told us there were technical issues. We were waiting on the plane for around an hour.
"We were then told the aircraft had to move to another part of the airport. That’s when we noticed police and fire vehicles quickly surround the plane and dozens of armed officers and firefighters got out.
"The pilot then said there had been a direct security threat involving our flight specifically.
TWITTER"We had all our carry on bags searched (given all clear), we’re now going through the body scanners and x-rays, and then we will have to identify any hold luggage that belongs to us.
"They need to make sure everybody and everything has been searched. They’re being extremely thorough and we’re being escorted by armed officers."
British Airways has assured passengers they will be able to board another flight later today.
A spokesperson said: "The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority.
"Additional security checks are being carried out as a precaution. We would never operate a flight unless it is safe to do so."
An airport official confirmed passengers were evacuated on Snday morning "for a security reason".
The official added: "The incident is being dealt with."
TWITTERPolice said the security alert was a false alarm after sniffer dogs checked the plane and found no threat.
Mr Anderson tweeted: "After having completed the search, appears the incident has now been stood down and everybody is getting rebooked on next available flight."
At around 11.10am, a British Airways spokeswoman confirmed the flight had taken off.
The airline did not state the nature of the alleged threat.
