A bomb threat scrawled on a sick bag sparked a major security alert on a passenger jet at Manchester Airport, the M.E.N can reveal.
The note was found on a Monarch plane, bound for Mahon, Menorca, as 175 holidaymakers were boarding ahead of its departure at 3pm yesterday.
It is understood the note was found by a passenger, who told a member of the cabin crew – who then alerted the police and airport security.
The scare prompted a full evacuation of the plane, an Airbus A321, with all passengers ordered back into the terminal.
The aircraft was searched by the police but nothing suspicious was found.
An investigation was launched but the note, which was written in English, was found to be a hoax. Nobody was arrested.
It is thought that the note may have been left as a ‘joke’ by a passenger who had been drinking on the earlier incoming flight from Spain.
A spokesman for Monarch confirmed the incident had happened and apologised to passengers for the delay but said their safety was paramount. The plane – flight ZB698 – eventually took off at 7pm.
The spokesman said: “In line with standard security procedures, all 175 passengers returned to the departure area whilst full aircraft security searches were carried out and baggage re-screened.
“During this time passengers were kept informed and provided with refreshments.”
A spokesman for Manchester Airport said: “A Monarch Airlines flight due to depart from Manchester Airport was delayed while police investigated a hoax bomb threat note found on board.
“The action was taken as a precaution but normal airport operations were not affected.”
No other flights were affected by the security alert.
Passengers revealed the unfolding drama on the micro-blogging site Twitter. Ashleigh Main, from Falkirk, Scotland, wrote: “We had to evacuate the plane because someone left a note and they don’t think the aircraft is safe.”
A GMP spokesman said: “Police were made aware of a note being found on a plane at Manchester Airport making reference to a bomb. As a precaution the passengers and crew were removed from the Monarch flight, which was due to fly out to Mahon.
“The plane was searched but nothing suspicious was found.”
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Not funny!
On Tuesday morning I passed through the security channel and was stopped. I was obliged to open a sealed bag containing fresh salmon. It was in a fishmongers bag. It looked like fish, it smelled like fish and I was told it looked like explosives!!! I was stood at the side of it.
Have these people no common sense at all.
When will these airlines ever learn that the confined space on a plane, booze and passengers don`t mix. If you can`t do without a drink of alcohol for 3 hours there`s something mightily wrong with you!!
Just find out who was sat in those seats on the in bound flight, or which cleaner that was responsible for cleaning the area and you may have found the culprit - simples!
Matt
To answer your question Salmon from Bury Fish Market is about 1/3 of the price it is here in Paphos.
I also brought 6 Rainbow Trout and a kilo of pepered Mackrel for the same reason.
Our freezer is pretty full now.
treat your customers like animals and criminals and they'll behave like animals and criminals.