Belfast International Airport Steps In as Belfast City Airport Runway Remains Closed After Aer Lingus Incident
Breakouts bound for Belfast faced wide dislocation on Sunday evening after an Aer Lingus Regional aircraft made a dramatic exigency landing at Belfast City Airport, forcing the closure of its only runway for the rest of the day.
The dread unfolded at around 4 pm when the Emerald Airlines-operated airplane suffered a nose wheel collapse on touchdown.
Exigency crews contended to the tarmac as the field activated full exigency procedures.
A Belfast City Airport spokesperson confirmed: “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.”
Despite the shocking scene, no injuries were reported. The aircraft had been travelling from Edinburgh and wasn’t carrying passengers, a fact that brought a measure of relief to field officers and bystanders.
Belfast International Airport
With the runway at Belfast City shut, Belfast International Airport became a pivotal lifeline, absorbing several diverted flights.
A spokesperson for the larger 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.”
Trippers have been prompted to check directly with their airlines for updates as delays and cancellations ripple across the region.
Airfields across Europe have been on high alert following recent major cyber attacks on European airfields, adding further pressure to flight operations and security brigades.
Emergency Response Swift and Heavy
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) was quick on the scene. A spokesperson said: “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 the scene. At 16:34, NIFRS scaled back our response. We currently have 1 appliance and 3 officers on scene.”
Their rapid action allowed airport crews to secure the site and prevent further risks.
Wider Travel Chaos
The incident adds to a formerly chaotic day for UK trippers. Severe downtime rainfall has bombarded England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, disrupting breakouts, ferries, and road trips.
In Portugal, EasyJet passengers were left stranded in Madeira after high winds forced the cancellation of flights to London, leaving hundreds scrabbling for indispensable connections.
The runway at Belfast City Airport will remain unrestricted until further examinations are complete. Passengers scheduled to fly in or out of Belfast are advised to communicate with their airlines before heading to the airport.
For now, Belfast International Airport continues to shoulder the pressure, managing an influx of diverted flights as Northern Ireland’s aeronautics network works to restore normal service.
