Gulf Air denies plane storming reports

Manama, Mar. 21 (BNA): Gulf Air Bahrain’s national carrier, has dismissed reports that armed police stormed one of its flights in London. The company issued the following statement: "Following recent media reports surrounding a Gulf Air flight GF003 from Bahrain to London can confirm the following: upon landing into London Heathrow on Tuesday at 1451 (local time) Metropolitan Police contacted Gulf Air requesting to question a passenger. In compliance with this request, Gulf Air crew located and escorted the passenger from the aircraft. "Contrary to media reports that ‘armed police stormed the flight’, Gulf Air can confirm that no authorities boarded the aircraft and remaining passengers on board Gulf Air flight GF003 disembarked the aircraft following standard disembarking procedures in order to proceed to the terminal building. "Such security procedures and practices are entirely within the jurisdiction of the destination country’s official police system/authority, and such events are standard occurrences for all airlines and airports around the world. The safety, protection and comfort of Gulf Air passengers and employees are of utmost importance and Gulf Air crew handle such matters with a high level of professionalism."