Military fighter jets were deployed to accompany a Turkish Airlines aircraft following concerns raised by the pilot regarding a potential threat onboard. The flight, TK1853, departed from Istanbul in the early morning hours and landed at Barcelona-El Prat Airport at 11 am with suspicions of a suspicious item.
The Airbus A321 plane was carrying seven crew members and 148 passengers. Catalan news sources reported that the aircraft was escorted by military planes after a threat was identified over the Mediterranean Sea in Italian airspace. Spanish and French armed forces were engaged in the operation, guiding the flight to a safe landing in Barcelona.
Upon landing, the plane taxied to runway two after making several circles. Law enforcement officials boarded the aircraft while emergency services mobilized to the scene. Baggage is currently undergoing inspection for explosives, although none have been found so far. Despite the incident, normal airport operations remain unaffected, with a general alert in place and the crisis committee activated.
According to security experts, the response follows standard procedures, and early indications suggest a false alarm. Passengers have been relocated to a designated area within the airport, and measures are being taken to inform their families promptly.