RAF Typhoons scrambled to Manchester-bound flight which was 'causing concern
Two RAF Typhoon jets were scrambled from RAF Coningsby to escort a Boeing 777 from Doha after the aircraft became unresponsive to air traffic control.
RAF Typhoons scrambled to Manchester-bound flight which was 'causing concern
Two Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 jets were launched to intercept a Qatar Airways flight after the aircraft triggered a security alert while entering UK airspace. The long-haul flight, designated QR23, was traveling from Doha to Manchester Airport when it became a source of concern to civil authorities.
The RAF deployed the jets from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, the base for Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) South. The fighter jets operated under the callsigns RIGID 11 and RIGID 12. This specific protocol, known as QRA, maintains armed Typhoons at high readiness around the clock to respond to unidentified aircraft or those that lose contact with civil authorities. While RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland handles the northern QRA area, Coningsby manages the south.
According to Air Live, the scramble occurred after ground controllers lost radio contact with the Boeing 777-300. Open-source flight tracking indicated that the airliner, using the callsign QTR52N, was not responding to air traffic control and failed to begin its expected descent into Manchester. Because an unresponsive commercial aircraft is viewed as a potential security threat, the RAF launched the intercept to establish visual contact with the crew.
The UK Defence Journal reported that the interception was linked to an incident involving a threat. However, the nature of that threat and whether it was considered credible has not been established. During the operation, the Typhoons used a transponder code allocated to NATO Air Policing for air defence priority flights. Tracking data placed the escort over the Midlands and Yorkshire, with the aircraft reportedly intercepted over Nottingham. The fighters followed the airliner past Manchester before one was seen orbiting over Lincolnshire on its return to base.
An RAF spokesperson confirmed the operation, stating:
"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."
RAF spokesperson, via Mirror
The Boeing 777, which can carry between 301 and 451 passengers depending on its configuration, landed on time at 7.45pm at Manchester Airport's Terminal 2. The Mirror reported that the Typhoons were stood down quickly once no issue was identified.
Qatar Airways described the escort as a precautionary measure following a security notification from UK authorities. In a statement, the airline said:
"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."
Qatar Airways, via UK Defence Journal
The airline further noted that all passengers and crew disembarked without incident. Following the landing, the same aircraft was scheduled to return to Hamad International Airport in Doha on flight QR24. While the return flight was scheduled for 9.15pm, it had not yet taken off as of 10.50pm on Friday.
