An EasyJet flight from Hamburg to Luton with 151 passengers on board was diverted to Stansted following a security alert.
The Airbus A319 landed safely on Friday afternoon and was met by police who boarded the aircraft.
EasyJet said the aircraft, which also had six crew, had been diverted as a “precautionary measure”.
“We would like to thank passengers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused,” it said.
The aircraft was later allowed to fly on to Luton
A passenger on the flight told the BBC a youth football team was travelling on the aircraft and one of the boys’ passports was taken. He said the boy was taken away but then returned.