Boy, 14, 'assisting police' after hoax threat made to aircraft approaching Manchester Airport

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Saturday, 25 July 2026 15:44

A 14-year-old boy is "assisting" police with their inquiries after a hoax threat was made to an aircraft heading to Manchester Airport.

RAF Typhoons were scrambled to intercept a Qatar Airways flight heading to Manchester Airport from Doha on Friday night, the Ministry of Defence confirmed.

National Air Traffic Services (NATS) received the threat at around 6pm on Friday, with police, the RAF and airport authorities responding.

Manchester Police said the plane landed safely and there was no danger to passengers or crew.

A 14-year-old boy has been identified and is "assisting officers with their inquiries", the force said.

The teenager from Bolton was not on the Qatar Airways flight.

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Chief Inspector Gary Homa said: "This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable. The safety of the public is always our top priority and every report of this nature is treated extremely seriously.

"Hoax calls can cause significant disruption, divert vital emergency service resources and create unnecessary concern for passengers, crew and the wider public.

"Thankfully, this incident concluded safely, but making false reports is not a prank and can have serious consequences. We will always investigate incidents of this kind thoroughly and take robust action where offences have been committed."

Sky News