Flight QR23 from Doha to Manchester Airport caused ‘concern to civil authorities’ once it reached UK airspace, triggering a ‘RAD Quick Reaction Alert’
Two RAF jets were scrambled to escort a Qatar Airways flight bound for Manchester from Doha tonight.
The incident occurred as flight QR23 from the Qatari capital to Manchester Airport entered UK airspace. The RAF said in a statement that the aircraft was “causing concern to civil authorities”, which triggered the “RAF Quick Reaction Alert”.
The jets were scrambled after ground controllers lost radio contact with the long-haul flight during its approach, according to Air Live. An unresponsive commercial aircraft constitutes a potential security threat and so the RAF Quick Reaction Alert protocol was launched.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence confirmed that the two Typhoons were deployed from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. This was to make visual contact with the crew, Air Live reported.
An RAF spokesperson said: “We can confirm that an RAF Quick Reaction Alert was launched for a Qatar Airways flight which was causing concern to civil authorities. The incident was resolved and the airliner landed safely at Manchester Airport.”
The Mirror understands the Typhoons were stood down very quickly as no issue was identified. The aircraft was reportedly intercepted over Nottingham.
The seven-hour flight was operated on a Boeing 777 which can carry between 301 and 451 passengers depending on the configuration of the aircraft. It landed safely and on time at 7.45pm at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2.
The same aircraft is expected to take off soon from Manchester Airport to return to Hamad International Airport in Doha on flight QR24.
The flight was scheduled for 9.15pm but had not yet taken off as of 10.50pm. Qatar Airways has been approached for comment.
