An easyJet flight to London was at the centre of a security alert after a passenger claimed that the man sitting next to her might have been an Islamic extremist.
The woman claimed she saw messages related to ISIS on the man's mobile phone as the plane was preparing for take-off from Vienna, Austria.
She alerted cabin crew and security staff descended on the aircraft before passengers and luggage were taken off the plane for additional screening, Austrian officials said.
The plane was delayed for hours while checks were carried out on Saturday.
Austrian officials said a woman thought she saw messages related to ISIS on a passenger's phone (file photo)
But Karl-Heinz Grundboeck, a spokesman for Austria’s interior ministry, revealed today that nothing suspicious was found. The plane took off without the man and woman, who were being questioned.
The man who was hauled off the plane is an Iraqi citizen, and he was released after questioning, said Grundboeck.
Grundboeck added: ‘There was nothing suspicious found and he has been allowed to continue his journey.
‘The only thing outstanding is a detailed analysis of his mobile phone.’
After cabin crew were alerted, passengers and luggage were removed for additional screening (file photo)
The nationality of the woman involved is not known.
Flight 5352 was scheduled to leave Vienna International Airport at 12pm local time and land two hours later at London Gatwick Airport.
Instead, the Airbus A319 arrived three hours behind schedule due to the delay.
An easyJet spokeswoman said: 'EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY5352 from Vienna to London Gatwick was delayed due to additional security checks before departure.
'The safety and security of its passengers and crew is our highest priority. We apologise for the delay and any inconvenience caused as a result.'
The incident comes as Europe steps up security following Tuesday's bombings in Brussels, in which three suicide bombers killed 28 people in a series of attacks claimed by ISIS.
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