Bomb-scare plane at Shannon gets all-clear

A US passenger airplane that made an emergency landing at Shannon Airport yesterday in a bomb scare will resume its flight to…

A US passenger airplane that made an emergency landing at Shannon Airport yesterday in a bomb scare will resume its flight to New York this afternoon.

An Aer Rinata spokeswoman said the aircraft had been inspected this morning and was expected to resume its flight at 3 p.m.

The United Airlines flight - en route from London Heathrow to JFK New York - was diverted to Shannon after the crew found a suspicious note on board.

A Garda spokesman said the crew found a note on a paper napkin that suggested there may have been a bomb on the aircraft.

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"A United crew member found a note in a seat-back on the aircraft and . . . we made the decision to divert the aircraft to Shannon," a United Airlines spokeswoman in London said.

The plane landed safely at 4.30 p.m. yesterday and all 197 passengers and crew were evacuated. The airport was operating normally last night and plans were being made to accommodate passengers on alternative flights.

It's understood there were no military personnel on the flight.

David Labanyi

David Labanyi

David Labanyi is the Head of Audience with The Irish Times