An American Airlines flight carrying 179 people from Manchester, UK, to Chicago was diverted to Bangor, Maine, on Friday because of security concerns, the airline said.

The US Transportation Security Administration said it learned of "a reported threat to the aircraft while it was en route." The FBI said the plane landed in Bangor at 12:45 p.m. ET (1645 GMT).

Richard Hedges, an American Airlines spokesman in London, said: "I can confirm AA flight 55 from Manchester to Chicago (was) diverted into Bangor, Maine, due to a possible security concern."