Qatar A333 near Manchester on Aug 5th 2014, possible device on board turns out as hoax threat

A Qatar Airways Airbus A330-300, registration A7-AEH performing flight QR-23 from Doha (Qatar) to Manchester,EN (UK) with 269 passengers and 13 crew, was on approach to Manchester when the crew reported a possibly suspicious device on board prompting Royal Air Force to dispatch fighter aircraft to accompany the Airbus to landing. The aircraft landed safely on Manchester's runway 23R at 13:05L (12:05Z), vacated the runway and taxied to a remote apron with emergency services in trail, the airport was closed after landing.

Police reported they dealt with a major emergency at Manchester Airport, later the occurrence was downgraded to an isolated incident. Police confirmed a passenger has been escorted off the aircraft and taken away for interviews, subsequently police reported the passenger was arrested on the grounds of making a hoax bomb threat.

Aircraft bound for Manchester were diverted to Leeds,EN (UK) and other airports in the region. Manchester Airport returned to normal operation at about 14:05L (13:05Z).

The airline reported the crew received information about a threat of a possible device on board.

The other passengers were permitted to disembark at about 14:20L (13:20Z) and are being bussed to the terminal.

Passenger photo (Photo: Josh Hartley):

A333 and fighter aircraft seen from the ground (Photo: Stephen Campbell):