RAF fighter jets escort Kenya Airways flight to Stansted Airport after 'security alert' saw it diverted from Heathrow

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A large emergency response was under way at Stansted Airport as a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Heathrow was diverted this afternoon.

A Kenya Airways Boeing 787 was diverted to London Stansted at just before 3.45pm.

The aircraft, which was en route from Nairobi to Heathrow, is reported to have landed safely and was escorted to a remote stand with Essex Police in attendance.

It was searched by investigators. The plane was then moved to a docking station to allow passengers to disembark.

The flight was reportedly intercepted by RAF fighter jets from its quick response alert. The large emergency services presence included eight crews from the fire service, while the airport is open and flights are operating as normal.

Armed response officers inspected the Kenya Airways flight which was diverted from Heathrow to Stansted

A huge emergency response is under way at Stansted Airport as a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Heathrow is diverted.

A Kenya Airways Boeing 787 (flight number KQ100) diverted into London Stansted at just before 3.45pm.

A woman on the flight from Nairobi posted an image of the police response after landing at Stansted

One woman posted on Facebook: 'On flight this morning from Nairobi to London Heathrow. Forty five minutes before we were due to land, we were told that we'd been diverted to Stansted. When we arrived in Stansted, loads of police cars. 

'We’ve been surrounded by all the police. They've all got guns all dressed in black and are ID-ing us. Captain hasn’t even said anything.'

The flight set up from Nairobi at 9.18am local time and arrived  

An Essex Police spokesman said: 'We are currently attending an incident at Stansted Airport.

'A flight travelling from Nairobi to Heathrow was diverted to Stansted this afternoon. The airport remains open.'

An Essex County Fire and Rescue spokesman said: 'Eight crews are in attendance at Stansted Airport. We are working with Essex Police and the airport to bring the incident to a successful conclusion.'