Travelers hoping to reach loved ones in time for Christmas are facing significant delays after a plane crash-landed at Belfast City Airport during today’s stormy weather. The gripping scene, captured on camera, shows bright sparks from the undercarriage of an Aer Lingus Regional ATR aircraft as it skidded across the runway at around 4 p.m.
The plane, which was a positioning flight with no passengers and four crew members onboard, encountered a hard landing due to strong winds. Its nose gear collapsed on impact, causing the aircraft to hit the tarmac nose-first. Emergency services quickly responded, and Belfast City Airport has confirmed that the runway will remain closed for the rest of the day.
Flights Cancelled, Disruption for Holiday Travelers The runway closure has forced the cancellation of multiple flights from Aer Lingus, KLM, British Airways, and easyJet, with passengers destined for cities like Amsterdam, London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool all affected. Meanwhile, several incoming flights have been diverted to nearby airports, including Belfast International and Dublin.
Both airports are currently working near or at capacity due to the surge in redirected flights during this busy holiday season. Passengers from affected flights have spoken about their unexpected journeys. Sarah O’Connell, traveling from Southampton to visit her daughter in Belfast, shared, “It’s been a bit of an inconvenience, but everything has gone smoothly. The coaches were ready for us, and the roads were clear. We’re excited to see our daughter soon!”
Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts Emergency services quickly mobilized as the situation unfolded. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) responded at 4:15 p.m., deploying four appliances, a specialist rescue team, and supervisory officers.
“Our crews encountered an aircraft with a collapsed nose wheel and assisted the airport’s fire service in securing the scene,” said an NIFRS spokesperson.
The response was scaled back by 4:34 p.m., though a single appliance remains on-site. A team from Dublin Airport equipped with specialized aircraft recovery tools is en route to assist with clearing the runway.
Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager at Daa (the operator of Dublin Airport), stated, “We’re happy to accommodate five diverted flights from Belfast City Airport this evening and assist our neighboring airport as needed.”
Weather Wreaks Havoc on UK Travel The incident caps a weekend of severe travel disruption across the UK due to winds reaching 82 mph. The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning, in effect from Saturday morning until Sunday night.
Major transportation hubs, including London Heathrow, have experienced delays and cancellations. At the same time, ferry services and regional flights have been heavily impacted.
Belfast City Airport Statement A spokesperson for Belfast City Airport confirmed that no passengers were onboard the affected Aer Lingus flight, operated by Emerald Airlines. “At approximately 4 p.m. today, a positioning flight from Edinburgh to Belfast City Airport experienced a hard landing due to adverse weather conditions,” they said. “Emergency procedures were enacted promptly, and the runway will remain closed for the day. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines for updates.”
With Christmas around the corner, passengers are urged to stay patient as airline and airport crews work tirelessly to manage the disruptions and ensure everyone gets home safely for the holidays.
