### Passengers Endure Frightening Ordeal as Cardiff to Lanzarote Flight Escorted by Fighter Jets After Bomb Threat
Holidaymakers aboard a TUI flight from Cardiff to Lanzarote faced an alarming ordeal this week as their plane was shadowed by fighter jets following reports of a possible explosive device on board. The incident unfolded on Thursday, 19 June, when a handwritten note making threats was discovered in one of the aircraft’s toilets mid-flight.
Cheryl Sainsbury, a 43-year-old from Pontypridd, was travelling with her friends Leanne Thomas, Cherie Gurner and Tara Pumford. The group had been anticipating a relaxing break, but their journey took a sudden and distressing turn while they were flying over Portuguese airspace—nearly halfway through their four-hour flight.
According to Ms Sainsbury, the unsettling episode began with an unexpected announcement from the flight deck. The captain informed passengers that the aircraft needed to make an emergency landing due to a potential “device” on board. “We were all stunned, looking at each other and wondering what was happening,” she said. While anxiety was undoubtedly present, Ms Sainsbury remarked on the remarkable composure shown by both passengers and the cabin crew, who swiftly set about supporting and reassuring those on board.
As the crew carried out thorough checks of the cabin, opening overhead lockers and searching below seats, passengers were instructed to remain in their seats. It later emerged that particular attention was being given to locating a specific rucksack. During this tense period, many passengers attempted to contact relatives, seeking reassurance and sharing news of the unfolding situation.
Further confusion was prompted when it was revealed that, contrary to early suspicions, the origin of the threat was not an external phone call but rather a menacing note discovered inside one of the aircraft’s lavatories. The flight crew conducted a risk assessment, subsequently reporting that the threat was believed to be low-level, allowing the plane to continue its route rather than diverting for an emergency landing.
Nevertheless, for the duration of the journey across Portuguese airspace, the commercial aircraft was accompanied by two military fighter jets. This extraordinary sight provided a mix of apprehension and comfort to those on board, as some felt reassured by the visible security presence, while for others it heightened the gravity of the incident.
Upon safe arrival at Arrecife Airport in Lanzarote, the sense of relief among passengers was palpable. “There was an overwhelming feeling of celebration once we touched down,” Ms Sainsbury recalled. However, the drama was not yet over. The aircraft was directed to a remote section of the airport, where it was surrounded by police and emergency response vehicles. Passengers disembarked one by one, leaving their belongings behind for inspection by bomb squads and sniffer dogs.
For a period, travellers waited on the tarmac, unable to access refreshments and with only one available toilet, as authorities meticulously searched their luggage. Only after the all-clear was given were they transported to a holding area and, eventually, permitted to proceed through immigration and reclaim their baggage.
Since finally being allowed to leave the airport, Ms Sainsbury and her friends have found solace in trying to unwind and process the traumatic experience. She admitted the ordeal was especially challenging given her apprehensions about flying, but noted the solidarity among passengers: “Although we were scared, everyone supported each other and tried to stay calm.”
Official investigations have since confirmed that no explosive device was found on board. Local police in Lanzarote have launched an inquiry to identify the author of the note that triggered the emergency response. Cardiff Airport subsequently issued a statement emphasising the priority it places on passenger safety and confirming that no security concerns were raised before take-off.
The incident casts a spotlight on airline and airport security, as well as the procedures in place to address such threats in-flight. As the investigation continues, TUI has been approached for further comment but has yet to provide an official response. Passengers, meanwhile, are simply hoping for an uneventful journey on their return flight home.