Damaged aircraft blocks runway at Melbourne Airport – inflicting main delays for travellers

Australia’s second-busiest airport has been thrown into chaos after a plane aborted its take-off on a runway and caused flight disruptions.

Melbourne Airport was forced to operate with one runway on Monday as crews urgently worked to repair the damaged plane.

The Etihad plane was bound for Abu Dhabi with just under 300 people on board when it had to abort its departure from the airport on Sunday ‘for technical reasons’.

Flight EY461  slammed on the emergency brakes while travelling at 300km/h just moments before it was about to take to the air at 6.15pm.

A Melbourne Airport spokesman said the Aviation Rescue and Firefighting Service was called and deployed firefighting foam as a precaution.

Due to the damage to the aircraft’s tyres, the plane remained on the runway the following day, with repairs currently under way.

It means Melbourne Airport is only operating with one runway which will be used for all arrivals and departures – on the day many Australians return to work after Christmas.

A damaged plane (pictured) that aborted its take-off at Australia’s second-busiest airport remains on the runway, causing flight disruptions 

Almost 300 passengers were on board the plane bound for Abu Dhabi when the flight was forced to abort take-off

‘While there have been no cancellations at this stage, there have been disruptions to some flights,’ a Melbourne Airport spokesman told AAP.

‘Some flights have departed with less fuel and will need to refuel on the way to their final destination.’

Daily Mail Australia contacted Etihad for comment.