Manchester airport has diverted seven flights after a man got on to the airfield.

A further 17 planes were delayed after the trespasser breached security in a ‘mental-health related’ incident at around 11.20pm on Friday, police said.

He was arrested at the airport after around 15 minutes and has since been taken to hospital.

easyJet flight 22194 from Zurich was diverted to Birmingham while the airline’s flight 22002 from Barcelona was sent to Liverpool John Lennon airport.

Meanwhile TUI flights 439 from Boa Vista, 2573 from Corfu and 2253 from Naples were all diverted to East Midlands airport.

Ryanair flight 1265 from Agadir was diverted to Birmingham, while Jet2 flight 1024 from Faro was sent to Leeds Bradford airport.

The airport has now returned to normal. 

A spokesman for Manchester airport said: ‘A person encroached onto the airfield shortly before midnight last night.

Seven flights due to land at Manchester airport were diverted after a man entered the airfield on Friday night

A further 17 flights were delayed by the man, who was arrested and taken to hospital for assessment

‘They were quickly apprehended by staff and arrested by Greater Manchester Police.

‘The airfield was closed for around 15 minutes while the incident was handled and the breach was repaired. That resulted in seven diverted flights and 17 delayed flights.’

Greater Manchester Police said: ‘We responded to reports of a male who had been located air side at Manchester Airport at around 11.21pm last night.

‘This appears to be mental-health related and the man has been taken to hospital for assessment.’