RAF Jets Scramble for Qatar Airways Flight After Hoax Threat
A 14-year-old boy from Bolton is assisting police after a security notification prompted a military escort for a Doha-Manchester flight.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Sarah Connor
Two RAF Typhoon jets were scrambled on Friday, July 24, after a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Manchester Airport entered UK airspace under a security alert.
The Royal Air Force confirmed a 'quick reaction alert' activation, launching fighter jets in direct response to urgent concerns from civil authorities.
These concerns, originating from the U.S. Embassy in Jordan, cited a specific and credible threat against a commercial airliner.
An RAF spokesperson stated, "We can confirm that an RAF Quick Reaction Alert was launched for a Qatar Airways flight which was causing concern to civil authorities."
The Boeing 777, Qatar Airways flight QR23, received contact from the fighter jets above Nottingham, with the military aircraft subsequently escorting the passenger plane.
Qatar Airways confirmed the escort as a 'precautionary measure' following a 'security notification from UK authorities,' reportedly citing heightened security concerns related to renewed conflict in the Middle East and the breakdown of ceasefire talks.
A Qatar Airways spokesperson stated, "Qatar Airways confirms that, as a precautionary measure and in line with standard procedure, flight QR23 from Doha to Manchester was provided with an escort for part of its journey prior to landing following a security notification from UK authorities."
At no point was the aircraft in any danger, and normal operations continued on board throughout.
Despite the military escort, Qatar Airways maintained, "At no point was the aircraft in any danger, and normal operations continued on board throughout."
The flight landed safely at Manchester Airport at 8:01 PM, with no emergency services present upon its arrival.
However, emergency ground services remained on standby as a precautionary measure throughout the incident.
Nats, the UK's air traffic control service, received the threat at approximately 6 PM on Friday, initiating the rapid response.
Unverified reports from aviation websites suggested air traffic controllers may have lost communication with the aircraft during its approach, escalating the perceived danger.
Authorities later confirmed the threat a hoax, identifying a 14-year-old boy from Bolton who now assists with enquiries.
The boy was not on board the flight, definitively confirming the threat originated externally and was a deliberate act.
Gary Homa emphasized the serious implications of such actions, stating, "Hoax calls can cause significant disruption, divert vital emergency service resources and create unnecessary concern for passengers, crew and the wider public."
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.
Homa further added, "Thankfully, this incident concluded safely, but making false reports is not a prank and can have serious consequences."
He affirmed that authorities "will always investigate incidents of this kind thoroughly and take robust action where offences have been committed."
An investigation into the incident is expected to follow, examining the full scope of the security notification and the subsequent response protocols.
Gary Homa reiterated the commitment to public safety, stating, "The safety of the public is always our top priority and every report of this nature is treated extremely seriously."
He concluded, "This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable."