Key facts
- A 14-year-old boy is assisting police with inquiries following a hoax threat.
- The threat was made to a Qatar Airways flight en route to Manchester Airport.
- RAF Typhoons were scrambled to intercept the aircraft as a precautionary measure.
- The aircraft landed safely, and there was no danger to passengers or crew.
- Police are investigating the incident and treating hoax calls seriously.
A 14-year-old boy is assisting police with their inquiries after a hoax threat was made to a Qatar Airways flight approaching Manchester Airport on Friday evening. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that RAF Typhoons were scrambled from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to intercept the aircraft following the threat, which was received by Nats (formerly National Air Traffic Services) around 6 p.m.
Greater Manchester Police responded alongside the RAF and airport authorities. The aircraft, flight QR23 from Doha, landed safely at 7:45 p.m., and authorities confirmed there was no threat to passengers or crew. Emergency ground services were on standby as a standard precautionary measure, but the plane taxied to its gate without further incident.
The 14-year-old boy, from Bolton, was identified by police and is cooperating with the investigation. Chief Inspector Gary Homa stated that such behaviour is unacceptable, emphasizing that hoax calls cause significant disruption, divert emergency resources, and create unnecessary concern. He added that making false reports is not a prank and can have serious consequences, with thorough investigations and robust action taken where offenses are committed.