Ryanair flight from Ireland to Poland diverted over ‘potential threat’

A Ryanair flight from Ireland to Poland was diverted to Berlin on Sunday after the crew were told of a "potential security threat" affecting the aircraft. German air traffic control warned the crew of the Dublin-Krakow flight of the potential threat and the captain followed procedures and diverted to Berlin, the nearest airport, Ryanair said. The aircraft was taken to a parking spot away from the terminal. The 160 passengers on board the Boeing 737 plane were taken inside the terminal and underwent “extensive security checks” along with their baggage, but nothing untoward was found. Once they were cleared, passengers were flown to Krakow on a spare plane after an eight-hour delay. Security threats against aircraft mid-flight are rare but not unheard of. Sunday's incident follows a week after another Ryanair flight diverted to Minsk after authorities in Belarus ordered it to land. A dissident journalist on board the plane was then arrested, sparking a major diplomatic showdown which led to many airlines avoiding Belarusian airspace.<br/>