Passenger plane escorted by fighter jet into Manchester Airport

A passenger plane has been escorted by a Royal Airforce fighter jet into Manchester Airport after the pilot received information about a possible device on board. See video below.

The Qatar Airways Airbus A330 from Doha has now landed and a passenger has been arrested on suspicion of making a bomb hoax threat.

In a statement at the time of the landing, chief superintendent 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.

"As a result people will see the police and other agencies at the airport and on the airfield. At this time I would urge them not to be alarmed. Our response will be as comprehensive as it is proportionate, with the safety of those on board and in and around the airport our paramount concern."

All flights into and out of Manchester Airport have now been suspended.

Flights into Manchester are being diverted to Leeds-Bradford airport.

Eye witness Paul Bell, who was heading for a holiday flight due to leave from the airport's Terminal 1, told Sky News : "We heard the fighter jet circling over Stockport and about 10 minutes later we saw the aircraft coming in.

"It was literally looping round the aeroplane."

He said the airport was now on "lockdown" and he was stuck in a traffic jam at the airport.

In a statement, the airline said:

"Qatar Airways can confirm that flight QR23 from Doha to Manchester, an Airbus A330-300, landed safely at Manchester Airport ahead of its scheduled arrival time of 13:15. There were 269 passengers and 13 Qatar Airways crew on board. The crew onboard had received a threat about a possible device on board and Qatar Airways immediately took all the necessary precautions to alert British authorities. The crew is now fully assisting police at the airport with their inquiries. The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is our top priority. As this is a matter of a police investigation, we cannot comment further at this time."


This article will be regularly updated

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