The flight was an internal flight heading from Burj El Arab airport in the northern Egyptian city of Alexandria to the capital Cairo, Ihab Raslan, spokesman for the Egyptian ministry of civil aviation, tells CNN.
The Airbus 320 Egyptair flight, designated MS181, has at least 81 people on board, a statement from the Egyptian ministry of civil aviation said.
Pilot Omar El Gamal has reported a threat from a passenger claiming to have an explosive belt, who forced the plane to land in Cyprus, the statement said.
Developing story - more to come
