Terror In The Sky: Dutch Flight to Mumbai Escorted Back

A Mumbai-bound Northwest Airlines flight escorted by two Dutch F 16 fighter planes returned to Amsterdam's Schiphol airport today after the pilot raised an alert over 'suspicious behaviour' of some passengers. Twelve passengers have been arrested so far.

A Dutch air traffic control spokeswoman said the plane was in German airspace when it turned back after the crew reported some passengers were behaving suspiciously. The Dutch Defence Ministry and airport authorities said the pilot requested permission to return as the aircraft was flying over Germany shortly after leaving Amsterdam, and asked for a military escort when the crew's suspicions were aroused by several passengers.

Security has been increased at airports worldwide after British police said on Aug. 10 they had foiled a plot to blow up planes in the mid-Atlantic using liquid explosives disguised as drinks.