Fighter Jets Escort Air France Plane to JFK after Weapons Threat

A senior U.S. official told ABC that the anonymous call from an untraceable line was received by a Maryland State Police Fusion Center at 6:45 a.m. The caller made what the official called a “chemical weapons threat,” stating that four flights had devices on board, but only specifically identified Air France Flight 22, en route from Paris-to-New York.

ABC News said that U.S. officials were unable to reach Air France representatives after receiving the threat because it is also a state holiday in France.

Two American F16 fighter jets were then scrambled, and followed the Air France plane in such a way that passengers and crew could not spot them, according to ABC.

Not considered a credible threat by officials even before landing, authorities still exercised caution. After touching down at JFK, the Airbus A-330 was taken between two runways and put in lockdown. A police dispatch sent out the meet the plane told ABC the area is known as the “hijack site.”

ABC’s federal official source said that nothing dangerous was found in the initial investigation.

Source: Travel Pulse