Manchester Airport forced to close airfield after police receive ‘hoax email claiming there was a suspicious package on a flight’
- An Emirates flight from Dubai has been held at the apron at Manchester Airport
A plane containing hundreds of passengers was surrounded by police at Manchester Airport after a fake bomb scare email was sent to police.
A number of flights were reportedly diverted as an Emirates flight from Dubai was held on the apron after it landed in the northwest at 7pm on Tuesday evening.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police rushed to the scene, as did several fire engines, after the force was made aware of a hoax email claiming there was a ‘suspicious package’ on-board.
A witness reported seeing ‘police in their dozens’ at the airport, while it is understood the airfield was closed for a period of time while emergency services dealt with the incident.
GMP has since confirmed that security checks were carried out and that no suspicious items had been found so far, with passengers disembarking safely. No arrests have been made as of yet.
The Emirates Airbus A380 was surrounded by police after it landed at Manchester Airport tonight
A witness reported seeing ‘police in their dozens’ at the airport this evening, as heavy police presence and several fire engines have also been reported to be seen in the vicinity
The Airbus A380-842, which can carry up to 525 passengers, had taken off from the United Arab Emirates at around 2.50pm local time, before landing at Manchester at 7.22pm.
MailOnline understands the airfield was closed for a short period, causing three flights – from Palma in Spain, Paphos in Cyprus and London Heathrow – to be diverted.
A spokesperson from GMP said: ‘At around 7.20pm this evening, Tuesday October 17, Greater Manchester Police were made aware of an email claiming there was a suspicious package on a flight.
‘The aircraft had landed at Manchester Airport and was held for further assessment.
‘Searches and security checks have been completed, and no suspicious items have so far been found.
‘Passengers have now disembarked the aircraft with extra officers on hand to answer any questions and offer visible reassurance. No arrests have been made at this stage’.
MailOnline have contacted Manchester Airport and Emirates for further details.
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