Pakistan airline passengers denied bail over alleged threat to blow up UK-bound flight

LONDON – A judge has denied bail for two men who allegedly threatened to blow up a plane flying from Pakistan to Britain.

U.K. residents Tayyab Subhani, 30, and Mohammed Safdar, 41, were arrested Friday after their Pakistan International Airways flight was diverted to London’s Stansted Airport with a Royal Air Force fighter jet in tow.

The pair appeared Monday at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court in eastern England charged with endangering the operation of an aircraft. They spoke only to confirm their names and addresses but their lawyers said they would deny the charge.

They are expected back in court on August 5 to make a formal plea.