BREAKING: Nelson men charged over diverted Pakistan passenger jet

Two Nelson men have been charged with endangering an aircraft after an international flight from Pakistan had to be diverted by fighter jets over UK airspace.
By Ben Kenyon
Published 26th May 2013, 13:10 BST
Passengers disembarking Pakistan International Airlines flight PK709 bound for Manchester from Lahore, at Stansted AirportPassengers disembarking Pakistan International Airlines flight PK709 bound for Manchester from Lahore, at Stansted Airport
Passengers disembarking Pakistan International Airlines flight PK709 bound for Manchester from Lahore, at Stansted Airport

Tayyab Subhani (30) and Mohammed Safdar (41) were arrested as armed police swooped on the plane which was forced to land at Stansted Airport.

The Pakistan International Airlines flight from Lahore had been due to land at Manchester but was escorted by RAF Typhoon fighter jets to the airport in Essex on Friday.

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The Boeing 777 airline was believed to be 10 minutes away from landing when it was forced to change course out over the North Sea.

Passengers were ordered to leave all their possessions on board before leaving the plane as police stormed the aircraft on an isolated runway at Stansted.

The pair are due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

Related topics:PakistanManchester