Belfast City Airport remains closed to all flights after an Aer Lingus plane experienced an emergency landing during strong winds on Sunday, resulting in significant disruption to air travel.
The incident occurred at approximately 16:00 GMT when the aircraft, operated by Emerald Airlines on behalf of Aer Lingus, landed on the runway during adverse weather conditions. The plane’s nose wheel collapsed upon impact, leaving its nose resting on the tarmac.
The flight, which had departed from Edinburgh, was a “positioning flight” with no passengers on board, carrying only four crew members. Emergency services assessed the crew at the scene as a precautionary measure, and no injuries were reported.
Significant Disruption to Flights
The emergency caused widespread disruption, with nearly 40 flights into and out of Belfast City Airport affected. Several flights were cancelled, while others were diverted to alternative airports, including Belfast International Airport and Dublin Airport.
Belfast City Airport issued a statement advising passengers not to travel to the airport on Sunday evening, confirming the runway would remain closed for the rest of the day. The airport has since announced that the runway is not expected to reopen until Monday, leaving travelers facing continued uncertainty.
Passengers have been urged to contact their airlines for updates, while the airport has pledged to provide further information on its website and social media channels.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Emergency services, including police, fire, and ambulance crews, responded promptly to the incident. Four fire appliances and specialist crew members were dispatched to the scene after the airport declared a full emergency at 16:15 GMT.
Fire Service Area Commander David Doherty confirmed that firefighters did not need to take immediate action as the crew was safe and the situation was under control. Crews remained at the site as a precaution while other resources were redeployed.
Emerald Airlines attributed the incident to a “hard landing” caused by the challenging weather conditions. The Met Office had issued warnings about strong winds in Northern Ireland, predicting potential disruption to road, rail, air, and ferry transport.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation into the incident. A team of inspectors has been deployed to the site to assess the situation and determine the cause of the hard landing.
Support from Neighboring Airports
The damaged aircraft has yet to be moved from the runway. Belfast City Airport is receiving assistance from Dublin Airport, whose airfield operations team is traveling to Belfast with specialized aircraft recovery equipment.
Graeme McQueen, Dublin Airport’s media relations manager, confirmed their support, stating, “We are happy to help our neighboring airport.”
Belfast International Airport also played a crucial role, accommodating diverted flights despite operating at near capacity due to its own busy schedule. Dublin Airport took in an additional five flights.
As investigations and recovery efforts continue, passengers are advised to stay updated via official channels, with disruptions likely to persist until the runway is cleared and deemed safe for operations.
