Manchester Airport migrant night flights claim debunked

Claims that planes carrying hundreds of migrants are landing at Manchester Airport on secret nighttime flights are false, according to a Manchester Evening News investigation. The allegations originated from an online "whistleblower" interview and were amplified by a Reform UK councillor. The claims, posted by Councillor Stuart Davies, alleged aircraft arrived between 2am and 4am several times weekly carrying 200 to 300 people from the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. The airport's aether private terminal, cited in the story, only fits 60 people and is routinely limited to 12, with no hidden exit gates. Aviation expert Martyn Cartledge said switching off transponders would be dangerous and that such flights could not occur in secrecy, given Manchester's large aviation enthusiast community. The photo used in the councillor's post is actually of a plane at Birmingham Airport.