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Manchester United plane diverted after hoax bomb threat on Qatar Airways flight QR23
Manchester United's flight home was diverted off course as a result of the RAF escort of Qatar Airways flight QR23 into Manchester airport.
The playing and management staff were flying back from Miami after beating Liverpool 3-1 in a friendly last night. They were aboard Atlas Air flight 8758.
After security forces received information about "a possible device on board" the Qatar Airways flight, RAF fighter jets escorted the plane to the ground. A man has since been arrested on suspicion of making a hoax bomb threat.
Club photographer Craig Norwood alerted Manchester United fans of the diversion on Twitter, with an image of the flight path curving away from Manchester and back towards the Atlantic.
Manchester United's flight GTI8758 being diverted due to a terror threat at the Manchester airport. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Ccwq3oj81D
— Craig Norwood (@CraigNorwood) August 5, 2014
The diversion was not particularly lengthy, with Louis van Gaal's men arriving only narrowly behind schedule. The flight was due to land at 13:58 BST and touched down 19 minutes later at 14:17 BST.
The club confirmed their safe arrival 10 minutes later.
Home sweet home. Miami to Manchester complete. #mufc have arrived back in the UK.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 5, 2014
Qatar Airways said in a statement:
Qatar Airways can confirm that flight QR23 from Doha to Manchester, an Airbus A330-300, landed safely at Manchester Airport ahead of its scheduled arrival time of 13:15. There were 269 passengers and 13 Qatar Airways crew on board.The crew had received a threat about a possible device on board and #QatarAirways immediately took all the necessary precautions to alert British authorities. The crew is now fully assisting police at the airport with their inquiries. The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is our top priority. As this is a matter of a police investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.