Nothing harmful found on US-bound jet that received threat

NEWARK, N.J. -- An unspecified threat to an arriving British Airways flight forced the evacuation of the plane at Newark Liberty Airport Thursday afternoon, but no suspicious items were found in the plane or in passengers' luggage, officials said.

The plane carrying 206 passengers and 13 crew members arrived from London at approximately 1 p.m. and was taken to a remote area of the airport, where a canine team conducted a search of the cabin and cargo area.

Passengers said they weren't aware of the threat until they landed.

"The entire flight down, nobody knew anything until we were already on the ground and there," said Sean Fitzgerald, a passenger from New Jersey. "That's when the pilot came over the intercom and told us what was going on, and he basically said there was a threat that was called in and they had to do some security measures."

Passengers disembarked and stood on the tarmac as their bags were checked, 15 people at a time, said Caroline Stafford, a passenger from London.

"It was really terrifying but at least there were police cars waiting for us," Stafford said. "They knew about it so the security measures were in place when we got there."

British Airways PLC is based in Hounslow, England, and is owned by Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. It didn't comment directly on the incident but said the safety of its passengers and crew is its top priority.