Belfast City Airport runway stays closed after Aer Lingus flight crash lands

The runway at Belfast City Airport is to remain closed for the rest of today following an incident on the runway, with advice for all travellers to contact their airline

The plane reportedly saw its landing gear collapse as it landed at the airport

Belfast City Airport’s runway will remain closed for the rest of the day following a bit an emergency landing on the tarmac. Emergency crews rushed in after an Aer Lingus/Emerald Airlines plane experienced a nose wheel collapse when it hit the runway

The airport chipped in with a statement tonight, revealing that thankfully, it was just a positioning flight from Edinburgh and no passengers were involved in the scare. A Belfast City Airport spokesperson disclosed: “At around 16:00 today, Sunday 22 December, an Aer Lingus regional flight, operated by Emerald Airlines, had an incident on landing at Belfast City Airport.”

They added: “This was a positioning fight with no passengers but 4 crew members onboard.”

Following the incident, the airport launched its emergency protocols.

Flights have been disrupted as a result (stock)(Image: Daily Mirror)

For now, the runway remains shut down, and the advice to flyers is to speak to your airline, reports Belfast Live.

Earlier today, a representative from Belfast International Airport, which has been accommodating some diverted flights due to the incident at Belfast City Airport, stated: “Following the incident at Belfast City Airport this afternoon we have taken four diverted flights. As we already had a heavier schedule than usual, we are now, with these additional flights, close to capacity so we are limited in how many more redirected flights we can take this evening, however we will continue to support where possible.”

The severe weather continues to wreak havoc across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, affecting ferries, flights and roads. In Portugal, hundreds of people were left stranded after EasyJet flights from Madeira to London were cancelled due to the strong winds, leaving them scrambling to find alternative routes home.

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An NIFRS spokesperson revealed: “NIFRS attended an incident at Belfast City Airport at 16:15 on Sunday 22nd December. Four Appliances, a Specialist Rescue Team, a Command Support Unit, and 3 Officers were at scene. At 16:34 NIFRS scaled back our response. We currently have 1 appliance and 3 officer’s on scene.”

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Flight incidentsPlane Crash