A TUI Airways flight was forced into an emergency diversion as its fuel supplies ran low during a security breach at Manchester Airport on Friday night. The aircraft, flight BY439, was approaching Manchester from Cape Verde's Aristides Pereira International Airport when air traffic control instructed the pilot to remain airborne until the incident was cleared.
Emergency declared over Peak District
The plane entered a holding pattern at 6,000 feet over the Peak District, according to news site AirLive. After around 20 minutes, the crew declared a general emergency using squawk code 7700 as fuel supplies dwindled.
Air traffic control diverted the flight to East Midlands Airport, a short distance away. The TUI flight landed and spent one hour being refuelled before returning to Manchester, a journey that took just 18 minutes.
Teenager detained under Mental Health Act
Greater Manchester Police said officers responded to reports of a male who was 'air side' at the airport at around 11.20pm on Friday. A 17-year-old was detained under the Mental Health Act, and inquiries continue.
Six other flights were required to divert, while a further 17 or so were held in holding patterns due to the security breach, according to AirLive.
