Email claiming there was 'suspicious package' on flight sees police block Manchester Airport runway with 'airfield closed'
17.10.2023 - 21:47
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
An email claiming there was a 'suspicious package' on board a flight saw police and fire crews swarm the runway at Manchester Airport on Tuesday night (October 17).
The M.E.N understands the airfield was reportedly closed for a short while as arriving flights were delayed landing amid reports the Emirates plane, that had landed from Dubai, was stopped and held on the apron to be searched.
Officers attended the scene where an inspection of the aircraft and security checks were carried out. It was later found no suspicious items were found, police have said.
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A live stream of the runway by Macc Aviation Live showed a number of police and fire service vehicles at the scene after they surrounded the aircraft at around 7.20pm.
The airport confirmed to the M.E.N that the Emirates flight had landed on Tuesday evening and that Greater Manchester Police were leading the incident, which was stood down shortly afterwards.
Passengers disembarked at the terminal with extra officers deployed to the airport to offer 'visible reassurance' to those caught up in the drama. No arrests have been made currently.
Amid the scenes, one person 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," as another posted: "Planes circling, fire trucks on the runways and flights held up at Manchester Airport."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 7:20pm this evening (Tuesday 17 October) Greater Manchester