Belfast City Airport’s runway has been closed to all flights after an Aer Lingus aircraft experienced an emergency landing due to strong winds. The incident occurred when the plane’s nose wheel collapsed upon landing, with images showing the aircraft’s nose resting on the runway tarmac. Fortunately, there were no passengers onboard, only four crew members, who were assessed by emergency services at the scene.
What Led to the Emergency Landing and How Did Authorities Respond?
The flight in question was a “positioning flight” from Edinburgh to Belfast, operated by Emerald Airlines on behalf of Aer Lingus. “The aircraft experienced a hard landing upon arriving at Belfast City Airport due to adverse weather conditions,” said Emerald Airlines.
The crew of four had been flying the aircraft without passengers, and emergency services quickly responded when the plane landed. The Fire Service Area Commander explained that firefighters were called after the airport “declared a full emergency.” While several units were deployed as part of the expected response, it was noted that no immediate action was required from the firefighters, and their resources were quickly redeployed. However, some crews remained at the scene as a precaution.
How Have the Airport's Operations Been Affected?
As a result of the emergency, nearly 40 flights in and out of Belfast City Airport were disrupted. Some flights were canceled, while others were diverted to other airports. The runway at Belfast City Airport is expected to remain closed until at least Monday, causing significant inconvenience to travelers.
The airport advised passengers not to travel to the airport on Sunday evening, confirming that the runway would remain closed for the rest of the day. They urged affected travelers to contact their airlines for further information. The airport also assured that their website and social media channels would provide updates and advice for passengers due to travel on Monday morning.
Why Were Flights Diverted to Other Airports, and What Was the Impact?
After the closure, several flights were diverted to Belfast International Airport. At least four flights, including those from London City and Leeds Bradford, were redirected, with the airport posting on social media to warn that it was “close to capacity.” Due to the added stress on its busy schedule, Belfast International Airport noted that it was “limited in how many redirected flights we can take this evening.”
As a result, five additional flights were diverted to Dublin Airport. The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) also stepped in to assist Belfast City Airport with moving the damaged aircraft. A spokesperson from the DAA confirmed, “Members of Dublin Airport’s airfield operations team are currently travelling to Belfast with aircraft recovery equipment. We are happy to help our neighbouring airport.”
What Is the Current Status of the Investigation into the Incident?
The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been notified of the emergency incident and confirmed that an investigation is underway. A spokesperson from the AAIB stated, “An investigation has been launched, and a team of inspectors is being deployed to the site to gather further information about the incident.”
This ongoing investigation will shed more light on the exact cause of the nose wheel collapse and provide insights into how such incidents can be prevented in the future, especially under adverse weather conditions like the strong winds that contributed to this emergency.
As of now, the runway closure and diversions continue to cause significant disruption for travelers, with authorities advising all passengers to stay informed through official channels.
