 "British Airways flight evacuated over security threat in Paris")
A London-bound British Airways flight was evacuated at Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport today due to a security scare, but was later cleared for take-off, the airport's operator said.
A spokesman for Aeroports de Paris said an incident "linked to security" had led staff to evacuate the 130 passengers onboard Heathrow-bound flight BA303.
"There was an incident that led authorities to decide to keep the plane on the ground and to disembark the passengers a few minutes before take-off, to carry out additional checks," the spokesman said.
British Airways said in a statement: "The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority.
"We would never operate a flight unless it is safe to do so."
Britain has raised its terror threat level to "critical" following the bombing of a London Underground train on Friday that left 30 people injured.
A spokesman for Aeroports de Paris said an incident "linked to security" had led staff to evacuate the 130 passengers onboard Heathrow-bound flight BA303.
"There was an incident that led authorities to decide to keep the plane on the ground and to disembark the passengers a few minutes before take-off, to carry out additional checks," the spokesman said.
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The checks were completed and the flight was able to take off shortly before noon (1000 GMT), more than four hours late.
British Airways said in a statement: "The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority.
"We would never operate a flight unless it is safe to do so."
Britain has raised its terror threat level to "critical" following the bombing of a London Underground train on Friday that left 30 people injured.