Qatar Airways flight escorted to Manchester airport

[SeaVisionBurma]

Suspected device on board, military fighters photographed escorting the aircraft to Manchester airport

 

Greater Manchester Police have just released this statement:

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.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/manchester-airport-live-updates-fighter-3993974

[SeaVisionBurma]

Interesting, the link above is a live feed, and there's even photos from a passenger inside the aircraft being tweeted

 

They have shut the airport and airspace down

 

[SeaVisionBurma]

Story just broke on BBC

[phazey]

Video you say?

 

http://instagram.com/p/rUPCUWxnQD/

[SeaVisionBurma]

Inflammatory post removed

[wgdanson]

What would the Air Force plane do?

[SeaVisionBurma]

What would the Air Force plane do?

 

I imagine they would be able to make a visual inspection of the aircraft first, see what's happening on the flight deck, whether crew are under duress or flying normally.

 

And in the event of the aircraft looking like it was going to be flown deliberately into a building/populated area - shoot it down/destroy it beforehand.

[GentlemanJim]

 

What would the Air Force plane do?

 

I imagine they would be able to make a visual inspection of the aircraft first, see what's happening on the flight deck, whether crew are under duress or flying normally.

 

And in the event of the aircraft looking like it was going to be flown deliberately into a building/populated area - shoot it down/destroy it beforehand.

 

 

Correct.

[UKCanuk]

Just in on the beeb: the unnamed man they took off the flight has been sectioned under the mental health act.

[nong38]

Good to see the RAF Typhoons doing their stuff, very reassuring.

This is one of the times you hear about it, mostly you dont. They have 4 minutes to be  over London from Lincolnshire, so Manchester was a change of scenery.