RAF fighter jet scrambled to intercept mystery aircraft

July 25, 2012

Armed police officers patrol outside the main dining hall inside the London 2012 Olympic Games Village in Stratford, east London, July 24, 2012. – Reuters picLONDON, July 25 — Britain scrambled a fighter jet today to intercept an aircraft that had flown into restricted airspace as part of procedures to secure the Olympic Games, the Ministry of Defence said.

The Typhoon jet was ordered to intercept the aircraft after it failed to contact air traffic controllers. However, communications were then restored and the fighter jet told to stand down, the ministry said.

“We can confirm that one Typhoon launched shortly before 1130 today,” a defence ministry spokeswoman said. “This was in response to a commercial aircraft that was out of communication with air traffic control services. Communications were quickly restored. No further action was required.” — Reuters