A Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER operating Flight QR23 from Doha’s Hamad International Airport to Manchester Airport was intercepted and escorted by two Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets after air traffic controllers temporarily lost radio communication with the aircraft during its approach into the UK.
The aircraft, registered A7-BAJ, was cruising at 36,000 feet when controllers were unable to establish two-way communication with the cockpit. As a precaution, the RAF activated its Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) protocol, scrambling two Typhoon fighters from RAF Coningsby under the callsigns Rigid 11 and Rigid 12.
The fighters intercepted the Boeing 777 over Nottingham, where the aircraft briefly climbed to 39,000 feet while pilots and controllers worked to restore communications. Once radio contact was re-established and the situation was confirmed to be under control, the Typhoons escorted the aircraft toward Manchester.
Flight QR23 landed safely on Runway 23R at Manchester Airport at approximately 8:00 PM BST. Emergency services were positioned as a precaution, but the aircraft taxied normally to its gate without incident.
Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the temporary communications failure in coordination with Qatar Airways and UK civil aviation officials.
