Security threat: Fighter jet escorts passenger plane into Manchester airport

A passenger airplane with 269 people on board was escorted into Manchester Airport by a fighter jet this afternoon owing “information received by the pilot about a possible device on board'

The plane, a Qatar Airways Airbus A330, which had reportedly come from Doha, has since landed and is now surrounded by armed police officers and fire engines on the runway.

A Manchester police official said: “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.  

A man was seen arrested by the police after the plane landed. no word has been issued concerning him 

Residents of Manchester were a bit agitated at the development but have been urged to remain calm.
One said: "I saw the fighter jet come from nowhere on the heels of the passenger plane. It seemed really close and was incredibly noisy. I thought it was going to hit the plane. It was circling so close. The jet looked like it was following the plane to the airport"

An RAF spokesman said later that the plane had landed safely and the incident was being handled by civilian authorities.

He said: 'We can confirm that Typhoon aircraft were launched from Royal Air Force Coningsby in their quick reaction alert role this afternoon to investigate a civilian aircraft whose pilot had requested assistance.
"The aircraft was escorted to Manchester where it landed safely. This incident is now being handled by the civilian authorities"

Normalcy has since returned to the Airport.

Qatar Airways have released a statement:"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. "