Three women aged 21, 30, 53 and a man aged 23 were apprehended on suspicion of conspiring to cause a public nuisance.
Those arrested were also found to be in possession of items that we believe would have been used to cause damage and significant disruption to the Airport and their operations.
The four individuals remain in police custody for questioning and enquiries are ongoing.
Head of Specialist Operations, Chief Superintendent Mark Dexter said: “We have been working hard with colleagues from Manchester Airport and police forces across the country, sharing intelligence, with the common goal to prevent these disruptive and targeted attacks on our airports.
“We have a duty of care to all members of the public. The right to protest must be respected, but we have a duty to balance that right against the rights of the public to go about their lives without being subject to unacceptable disruption and will undertake swift and decisive action to arrest those intent on causing disturbances.
“These arrests have no doubt prevented a determined and targeted attack which would have brought significant delays and upset to those hard-working people heading off for their summer holidays.
“Anyone who sees anything suspicious or who has concerns about safety or security should speak to an officer or a member of the airport staff.”
