Shocking moment easyJet flight to Menorca is intercepted by Spanish Air Force fighter plane over ‘security’ fears

EASYJET passengers were left stunned when their flight from Gatwick to Menorca was escorted by a Spanish fighter plane.

Dramatic pictures show the F18 warplane flying close alongside the Airbus A319 much to the shock of holidaymakers.

Footage shared on social media shows the fighter jet – the same plane which Tom Cruise flies in Top Gun – next to the passenger jet’s distinctly orange liveried wing.

Video – which has been 51,000 times on Twitter – shows the pilot tipping his wings at the easyJet plane – a symbol understood by pilots to mean for “follow me”.

EasyJet confirmed the incident occured while the passenger plane was landing yesterday in Menorca.

“easyJet can confirm flight EZY8303 from London Gatwick to Menorca was escorted by military aircraft while landing in Menorca and delayed disembarking due to precautionary security checks,” a spokesman said.

“The passengers have since disembarked.

“The safety and security of its passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority and we would like to thank passengers for their understanding.”