New Yorkers were worried that the planes may have been part of a terrorist attack

A Boeing 747 flies low over New York Harbor followed by an F-16 chase plane

A plane, being tailed by two fighter jets in New York, is part of 'photo op', according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Aircraft were seen flying at low altitudes over the Statue of Liberty and parts of lower Manhattan

The planes flew low over the Hudson River, near the site of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, and circled several times.

The event caused scores of frightened office workers, fearing a terrorist attack, to flee buildings in Lower Manhattan and Jersey City.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Jim Peters said that the Boeing 747 circling Lower Manhattan escorted by F-16s was part of 'photo op' being carried out by the Defense Department.

“They’ll do two or three spins...and will be done by 10:30,” Mr. Peters said.

"It is pre-planned, pre-coordinated with everyone involved. It's a military flight over New York to take photos."

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it did not know about the event.

New York City has released an advisory that the flyover was "part of an approved federal activity."

North American Air Defense Command refused to answer questions and referred enquiries to the FAA.

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Belfast Telegraph