26.07.2026 13:47
A bomb threat for a Qatar Airways plane preparing to land at Manchester Airport in England put the country on alert. Following the report, Typhoon fighter jets of the British Royal Air Force were scrambled with an emergency code. After the plane landed safely, an investigation revealed that a 14-year-old child was behind the crisis. The false report made by the child, who was not even on the plane, triggered a major operation both in the air and on the ground.
A bomb threat against a Qatar Airways plane that was about to land at Manchester Airport in England has turned out to be false. Typhoon fighter jets of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) were scrambled due to the incident, and at the end of the investigation, the person behind the tip was determined to be a 14-year-old child.
According to Independent's report, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that RAF Typhoon fighter jets taking off from a base in Lincolnshire were scrambled for an interception mission of the Qatar Airways plane approaching Manchester on Friday. The former National Air Traffic Services (NATS) received the threat around 18:00. Police, RAF, and airport authorities then coordinated their response.
PLANE LANDED SAFELY
Greater Manchester Police announced that the plane landed safely and there was no risk to passengers or crew. As part of the investigation, the person believed to have made the tip was identified as a 14-year-old child from Bolton who was not on the plane. Police reported that the child is cooperating with officers in the investigation.
"NOT A JOKE, IT HAS SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES"
Chief Inspector Gary Homa, in a statement after the incident, said such false tips are unacceptable and used the following words:
"Public safety is always our top priority, and every tip of this nature is taken extremely seriously. False tips cause unnecessary use of emergency service resources and create needless anxiety for passengers and the public."
Homa emphasized that false tips are "not a joke," stating that such incidents will always be thoroughly investigated and that necessary legal actions will be taken if elements of a crime are identified.