A British Airways flight from Naples to London was diverted to Rome this afternoon following a security alert on board, Ireland.comhas learned.
BA flight 2607, a Boeing 737 carrying 132 passengers, was about 20 minutes into its journey to London Gatwick when an announcement was made informing the passengers of the alert.
It is understood the alert was triggered when flight attendants were informed by a passenger that he had mistakenly taken a cannister of petrol on board in his hand luggage. It is not clear how he managed to bring the petrol onto the aircraft undetected.
It is thought the petrol may have been contained in a portable generator which was among a number of musical instruments and amplifiers carried aboard by a musician on the flight, whose identity and nationality was not released.
The flight was then diverted to Rome where the plane was searched before being cleared to resume its journey to London.
This latest airport security lapse, in advance of the first anniversary of the 11th of September attacks, will focus attention on security procedures at airports at a time of heightened alert.
A passenger who spoke to Ireland.com, said security at Naples seemed "quite lax".
British Airways said they investigate all breaches of security vigorously and that procedures were in place to rate and investigate each incident based on the gravity of the breach.
Ultimately however, airport security is the responsibility of the airport in question.
