Pilot fined after RAF forced to escort plane to Manchester Airport

The plane was escorted by two fighter jets to Manchester Airport amid fears a 'major incident' had taken place. Credit: MEN Media (Library pictures)

A commercial pilot has been fined after two RAF Typhoons were forced to intercept his plane as it travelled from Oslo to Manchester Airport.

Christopher Hollands, 57, failed to communicate with air traffic control for 30 minutes, which triggered a security incidents and the launch of two RAF Typhoon fighter jets.

The plane was escorted to Manchester Airport, where police were waiting to board the aircraft and check on the 58 passengers onboard.

Hollands, of Kew Gardens Road in Richmond, was charged with not maintaining continuous communication with air traffic control during a flight. On Thursday 20 March, he pleaded guilty to the crime at Manchester Magistrate's Court, and was fined £4,511.

Two RAF Typhoons escorted the plane back to Manchester Credit: PA (Library pictures)

His guilty plea makes him the first person to be convicted of such a crime in the UK.

Glenn Bradley, Head of Flight Operations at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Incidents of lost communications causing security breaches are a matter of great concern both for us as the aviation regulator, and for the Government.

“Aviation is one of the safest methods of transportation, and it relies on pilots maintaining radio communication with air traffic control through the standard channels during flight.

“We continue to work with pilots, airlines, and the Government to reduce similar incidents, including by prosecuting offenders when appropriate to maintain confidence in UK aviation’s safety and security.”

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