Aer Lingus flight diverted: pilots ‘cooperated fully’, says union

Here's how it all unfolded

On Thursday, fighter jets intercepted an Aer Lingus flight bound for Rome.

Authorities in France had raised a security alert and diverted the aircraft to a French air base.

Carrying 151 passengers and six crew members, Flight EI402 had taken off from Dublin Airport at 6.24am.

The plane landed safely at Evreux air base, roughly 100km from Paris.

According to the Irish Airline Pilots' Association (IALPA), the pilot and co-pilot cooperated fully with French police.

The pilots union said on Friday that officers questioned both men as part of an investigation.

Its captain and crew "acted impeccably and were thoroughly professional throughout yesterday's security issue", Aer Lingus said, as per RTÉ's reporting.

Fighter jets scrambled as Aer Lingus flight diverted over security alert

The French PM's office revealed that fighter jets intercepted the plane.

The pilot had not responded to air traffic control as expected, while a regional prosecutor confirmed investigators questioned the pilot and co-pilot afterwards.

While on board, passengers watched fighter jets escort the aircraft as it changed course.

What Aer Lingus and the pilots' union said

According to IALPA, the questioning follows standard procedure "following incidents of this nature occurring within French airspace."

The SNPL, IALPA's sister union, is representing both pilots in France. IALPA added that pilots carry "clear legal responsibilities and authority" over the safe operation of their aircraft.

That responsibility falls under both Irish law and the law of the airspace they are flying through.

As per IALPA, it "fully supports the pilots involved" and is satisfied their actions matched their professional obligations.

Why was the Aer Lingus flight escorted by fighter jets?

French fighter jets intercepted the flight after the pilot did not respond to air traffic control as expected.

That prompted a security alert over French airspace.

What happens next for the Aer Lingus pilots?

A French prosecutor questioned the pilot and co-pilot as part of a formal investigation.

The SNPL union is representing both pilots in France.