Boy, 14, identified by police after hoax threat made to Qatar Airways flight - prompting MoD to scramble RAF Typhoons
A 14-year-old boy is assisting police after making a hoax threat against a Qatar Airways flight, which prompted the RAF to scramble fighter jets. The flight landed safely in Manchester, and authorities emphasized that such hoaxes cause significant disruption and resource waste.
Why it matters
Hoax threats against aviation security trigger massive emergency responses, highlighting the high cost and danger of such pranks.
The teen is ‘assisting officers with their inquiries’, Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Saturday
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A 14-year-old boy is “assisting officers with their inquiries” after a hoax threat was made to an aircraft heading to Manchester Airport.
RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Lincolnshire on Friday to intercept the Qatar Airways flight in response, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
Nats – formerly National Air Traffic Services – received the threat at around 6pm on Friday, and police responded alongside the RAF and airport authorities.
The aircraft landed safely and there was no threat to passengers or crew, Greater Manchester Police confirmed.
A 14-year-old boy from Bolton, who was not on the flight, has been identified and is “assisting officers with their inquiries”, police said.
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