The Qatar Airways flight QR23 made an emergency landing at Manchester airport at about 1 p.m. on August 5, on suspicion of a possible explosive device on board.
The flight was en route from Doha to Manchester when the crew received a threat regarding a possible device on the Airbus A330. Royal Air Force fighter Typhoon jet aircrafts were then sent to escort the plane which was carrying 269 passengers and 13 crew members at the time.
Chief Supt John O’Hare said: “An incoming plane has been escorted into the airport by the Royal Air Force, as a result of information received by the pilot about a possible device on board….We don’t know how genuine this threat is but it is absolutely vital we deal with the situation as a full emergency.”
The plane landed safely. The passengers were evacuated and the plane was thoroughly searched. However, no device was found.
The British police arrested a 47 year old passenger on suspicion of making bomb hoax threat.
Manchester’s runways remained closed for 25 minutes, and nine inbound flights were diverted to other airports.