Manchester Airport arrest after 'passenger boards easyJet flight with wrong documentation'

The alarm was raised after the plane had moved towards the runway

A passenger boarded an easyJet flight at Manchester Airport without the correct documentation. It is understood a man was allowed on the wrong plane even though he had a boarding pass for a different flight.

The alarm was only raised after the plane had taxied out onto the runway. One passenger who witnessed the incident said police officers boarded the plane and searched it.

The man was then escorted off the plane by officers. Other passengers also had to be taken off the flight and re-screened.

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All luggage and suitcases on the plane were searched as the flight returned to the gate. The easyJet flight EZY 2127 was heading to Milan Malpensa, Manchester Evening News reports.

The flight was delayed as a result of the incident on Friday, October 4. Greater Manchester Police confirmed a man in his 20s had been arrested and was in police custody.

He is being held on suspicion of secreting himself for the purpose of being carried in an aircraft without consent and intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance. It is understood nothing suspicious was found on board the plane.

The incident at Terminal One is not being treated as terror-related. The gate departure time was 6.23pm on Friday but the flight took off at 11.10pm.

The Airbus plane landed in Milan just before 2am on Saturday, October 5. It was more than four-and-a-half hours late.

The man was fully screened by security at the airport, with the issue allegedly happening at the boarding gate. EasyJet apologised for the delay on its website and referenced a 'passenger incident'.

It said: "We're sorry your plane has returned to its gate. We are assessing the situation and hope to get you on your way very soon. The disruption to your flight is outside of our control and is considered to be an extraordinary circumstance."

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said all its security processes were followed and confirmed the matter was being investigated by police. Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 7pm last night (Friday, October 4), we were called to Manchester Airport to reports of a man who had embarked on a flight without the correct documentation.

"On arrival back to the terminal, officers arrested a man in his 20s on suspicion of secreting himself for the purpose of being carried in an aircraft without consent and intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance. He remains in police custody for questioning and enquiries are ongoing."