Bomb hoax on France to Ireland flight

LONDON - A flight from Paris to Dublin was diverted to Glasgow's Prestwick Airport after a hoax bomb alert, the Irish airline Ryanair said.

"A note was passed to the cabin crew claiming that there was a bomb on board the aircraft," it said in a statement.

The captain reported the warning to air traffic controllers who ordered him to divert to Prestwick.

The plane was escorted into the Scottish airport by Royal Air Force fighters.

All 167 passengers were taken off the plane and questioned by police while the aircraft was searched and the airport was reopened.

Five hours after it landed, police said they had found no bomb on board but were continuing to interview the passengers.

- REUTERS