Emergency services scrambled to UK airport as runway closed

Emergency services have raced to a major incident which has closed a runway at Belfast City Airport after a plane reportedly lost it’s front landing gear after landing in high winds.

BelfastLive reports images from the scene appear to show fire crews on the runway dealing with an incident involving an Emerald Airlines aircraft, which operates the regional franchise of Aer Lingus.

When the landing happened the landing strip was being buffeted by wind gusts of up to 50mph. Photographs from the scene show the front end of the plane collapsed onto the Tarmac. Four crew members are said to have been on board.

In a statement to Express.co.uk a spokesperson for Emerald said a plane with no passengers on board had been involved in a “hard landing” due to “adverse weather conditions”.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Belfast City Airport said: “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.

“This was a positioning fight with no passengers but four crew members onboard. The airport’s emergency procedures were enacted.

“The runway is currently closed and will be for the rest of the day. Passengers are asked to contact their airline.”

The incident has led to a number of flights diverting to Belfast International Airport. The British Airway flight BA8756 from London City and the Aer Lingus flight EI3673 from Leeds Bradford have landed at Belfast International Airport.

Elsewhere, there are delays expected to most other flights arriving at Belfast City Airport.

Member of the Legislative Assembly, Peter McReynolds, from the Alliance party, wrote on X: “Concerned at the news coming through about Belfast City Airport. Grateful to all involved for their swift actions in managing the situation + relieved all staff are reported safe.

“If you’re due to travel tonight, please check for updates before departing as delays are expected.”

Belfast City Airport, officially George Best Belfast City Airport, is the 17th busiest in the UK, handling around 2.1 million passengers per year.

A spokesperson from Emerald Airlines, which operate the regional franchise of Aer Lingus, said: “An Emerald Airlines positioning flight, EA701P, with no passengers on board, flying from Edinburgh to Belfast City Airport, 22nd December 2024, experienced a hard landing upon arriving into Belfast City Airport due to adverse weather conditions.”