Yesterday morning, the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) activated two F-16 aircraft to accompany a civilian aircraft that warned of a "potential bomb threat" on board, while flying over Portugal.
In a statement, the FAP said that the alert pair of F-16Ms was activated at 09:00am Thursday morning, after a civilian aircraft declared a "potential bomb threat on board when crossing national airspace" and intended to be diverted to Faro Airport.
The two F-16Ms took off from Air Base No. 5, in Monte Real, on permanent alert.
“With the F-16Ms already carrying out monitoring in order to guarantee the safety and good management of national airspace, the crew of the civilian aircraft decided to continue the flight to the destination airport, outside national territory”, said the Air Force, indicating that when the civilian aircraft left the national flight information region, responsibility passed to Spain and the F-16Ms handed over the mission and returned to Monte Real.
A source in the sector told Lusa that the plane was heading to Lanzarote, and landed at the destination airport.
The Air Force also states that it “guarantees a permanent alert of F-16M for national air defense, responding to all situations to guarantee national sovereignty and good management and safety of air traffic, in strict compliance with national and international recommendations”.
Source https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/ - photo by Portuguese Air Force
