Phone Incident Delays Plane

26 June 2011, 08:18 | Updated: 26 June 2011, 08:21

Two British Airways pilots have been questioned by police after a mobile phone was allegedly thrown from a plane on to an airport runway.

The alleged incident happened around 7.30pm on Friday, shortly before the London-bound flight was due to take off from Edinburgh Airport.

The BA2945 flight to Gatwick, carrying 149 people, was ultimately delayed by three hours.

British Airways bosses have since apologised to passengers on board the Boeing 737 aircraft for the hold-up.

Both the airline and police said the matter, which followed the discovery of an unclaimed mobile phone on board, was being probed.

It is understood the captain and co-pilot have been questioned by police.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: ``We are investigating after a mobile phone was reported to have been thrown from a plane on to the runway at Edinburgh Airport about 7.30pm on June 24.

``Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident.''

A British Airways spokeswoman said: ``We apologise to customers on the BA2945 from Edinburgh to Gatwick for the delay to the aircraft's departure.

``There was a local airshow in aid of Armed Forces Day that meant some aircraft couldn't depart or arrive for some time.

``This was further exacerbated as an unclaimed mobile phone was located on board so the aircraft returned to stand.

``We are investigating the matter and speaking to the pilots to understand the exact circumstances around the whole incident.''