Emirates flights grounded amid ‘suspicious’ passenger

An Emirates flight from Athens to New York was forced to turn around as authorities ordered the plane to be grounded citing “security concerns”, according to a local news report. A second Emirates flight from the Greek capital to Dubai was refused permission to take off.The decision to call back one of the planes and ground the other came as a request from US authorities who informed the Greek police about a “suspicious” passenger, according to Greek media and police sources.However, the Greek authorities refused to confirm the exact source or nature of the American request.Public news station ERT1 was the first to break the story which saw Emirates flight ΕΚ 209 ordered to return to Athens.The aircraft was traveling over Sardinia when the request to return to Eleftherios Venizelos was made. Two Emirates flights were grounded due to request by US authorities (Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Planes at Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (Image: Getty Images )According to the Greek reporter, France and Italy both refused to allow the aircraft to land.The flight, which had been on route to Newark airport, returned safely to Athens two hours after taking off, according to officials.Flight 209 was escorted back through Greek airspace by two Greek air force F-16s, according to military officials.According to Greek police, nothing suspicious was found on the aircraft following a search.READ MORE: Putin warned of civil war within Kremlin as replacement climbs ranksBREAKING: A flight from Athens to the New York area was diverted after authorities discovered a possible national security threat involving a passenger on board. The plane was turned around and reportedly escorted by Greek fighter jets. U.S officials are now investigating. pic.twitter.com/t3bBzuK0yz- CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) November 10, 2022 The aircraft was reportedly carrying 228 passengers and 18 crew members, according to The Daily Mirror.Meanwhile passengers on the Dubai bound flight were searching thoroughly after disembarking as they were forced to take off their shoes and other items at the terminal, according to reports.According to ABC, Greek police confirmed that their concerns about a suspicious passenger was not confirmed by their inspections.The flight then finally took off for Dubai hours later.After receiving the request from the US authorities, officials at Eleftherios Venizelos activated it’s crisis management team.DON’T MISS: Just Stop Oil blockades take over EU as German drivers drag protesters [REVEAL] Putin makes Russian top brass take wrap for Kherson retreat [SPOTLIGHT] ‘Rishi Sunak should end the Cyprus merry-go-round’ [INSIGHT]