Police arrested a man Sunday on suspicion of being involved with a bomb hoax, after a note was found on an Emirates plane suggesting there was a suspicious device on board.
The note was found about ten minutes before flight EK 011 from Dubai to London, carrying 184 passengers, touched down safely at the capital's Gatwick Airport, the airline said.
It prompted explosives experts to search the plane and luggage while officials interviewed passengers.
Sussex Police said a man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of involvement in a bomb hoax following the incident, which they were called to at 6.48am Sunday.
"This was potentially an extremely serious situation and we immediately mounted an emergency response," Chief Inspector Ed Henriet said.
"All the agencies worked together to provide a coordinated response and minimise disruption and the airport operated as normal during this time."
An Emirates spokesman said later that the plane had been "thoroughly inspected by the airport authorities and has been now given all relevant clearances."
He added: "For Emirates the safety of its crew and passengers is of paramount importance."
Copyright 2009 AFP European Edition
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