Passengers have been evacuated from a flight that touched down in Sydney today after officials said that they had received a threat against the aircraft.

The Pacific Blue flight from Fiji landed safely and taxied away from the main terminal buildings where it was searched. Australian police said they were investigating reports that a suspicious device had been found on board.

Peter Vickary, a spokesman for Sydney Airport, said: "A Pacific Blue flight from Nadi, Fiji, which landed at approximately 5.45pm (0745 GMT) today has had a threat made against it.

"That aircraft has been parked away from the terminal, the passengers have been evacuated and the police are now investigating."

The threat against the Boeing 737 aircraft was made from the Philippines while the plane was en route from Fiji, Seven Network television reported.

Mr Vickary said no further details, including the nature of the threat, were currently available.

A United Airlines flight from Heathrow to Washington was diverted yesterday to Boston after a security alert when a passenger suffering from claustrophobia became disruptive.

Two F15 fighter jets escorted flight 0923 into the airport after the captain announced a mid-air emergency.

The woman was found to be carrying a tub of handcream that should have been handed over before she boarded in line with the strict new security measures put in place last week after police foiled an alleged attempt to blow up several aircraft.

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