Police surround plane on runway as Manchester Airport closes over 'bomb threat'

17 October 2023 , 19:19

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Police surround plane on runway as Manchester Airport closes over 'bomb threat'

Police and fire crews surrounded a flight that landed at Manchester Airport this evening amid reports of a bomb threat.

Emirates flight EK19 from Dubai landed at 7:21pm this evening and the airport confirmed Greater Manchester Police were dealing with the incident. A number of fire engines could be seen gathered together on the runway. According to flight tracking social media, the Emirates plane taxied to stand where it was met by police officers.

Manchester Airport briefly closed and some incoming flights were placed in a holding pattern while the matter was being dealt with by emergency services. The incident is now over and the airport has reopened and is running as normal.

Police and fire crews swarmed the runway at Manchester Airport this evening (Macc Aviation/Youtube stream)

Greater Manchester Police were alerted to the incident at 7.20pm this evening, reports the Manchester Evening News. It's understood the force was alerted to claims there was a suspicious package on board. The plane landed and was assessed.

Subsequent searches found no items and passengers were allowed to leave. No arrests have been made, although extra police officers were reportedly drafted in to liaise with passengers caught up in the drama.

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Flight radar showing the situation (Flight Emergency)

The Mirror has approached Manchester Airport and Emirates for comment on the situation.

One woman waiting for a flight at the airport posted a video to X showing a large police presence on the runway. "Doesn’t look like we are taking off anytime soon at Manchester Airport," she wrote. "Lots of activity on the runway."

Another X user posted: "Planes circling, fire trucks on the runways , flights held up at Manchester airport and nothing about it except on twitter. What is going on tonight."

A third said, replying to the Mirror: "On a flight that's been diverted to Liverpool, been told airport open now and we are heading to Manchester."

Another user posted a picture of tail lights in the sky, saying: "Lots of planes wheeling around over Derbyshire waiting to land at the moment."

Sophie Bateman