An easyJet flight from Gatwick was escorted to its destination of Menorca by a Spanish fighter jet after an 18-year-old passenger allegedly made a bomb threat.

The teen, who is reported to be part of a group of friends travelling on holiday, now faces a bill of thousands, including the cost of a subsequent police operation and the scrambling of the jet, after he was arrested by police on landing.

The Mirror Online reports the alarm was sounded on flight EZY8303 as it was close to landing on Sunday.

The Civil Guard confirmed it had arrested an 18-year-old Brit for public disorder after the control tower at Menorca Airport was alerted to bomb threat on a plane.

The Civil Guard added: “The threat was said to have been sent on a social media platform.

“Once the plane landed it was taken to an area away from the main terminal and other aircraft.

“The Civil Guard organised a special operation which consisted of mobilising bomb disposal experts as well as sniffer dogs and other officers who created a safe perimeter around the plane.”

“The passengers were disembarked and established protocol followed until police were able to confirm it was a false bomb threat and the person responsible was identified on social media along with five other companions as witnesses.

“They were taken to a police station so officers could clarify the situation.”

Passengers were reportedly kept on the tarmac for four hours while the plane was checked out and the aircraft was reportedly over two hours late returning to London.

EasyJet told the Mirror: “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.

“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.”