Birmingham Airport has 'suspended operations' after a suspicious device was found on an Aer Lingus aircraft. It has meant there are no flights currently coming in or heading out of the city. Flights are being diverted to Bristol Airport, East Midlands Airport and Manchester Airport.
A Birmingham Airport spokeswoman told BirminghamLive the airport has "temporarily suspended operations." The spokeswoman added that the airport is not closed and passengers should still arrive at the terminal ahead of their flights.
Departure boards on the Birmingham Airport website currently show all departing flights as delayed. The first flights to be hit by the delay were due to depart at 16:10.
An Aer Lingus spokesperson said: "We can confirm that an undeclared item discovered on Aer Lingus Regional flight EI3647, operated by Emerald Airlines, from Birmingham to Belfast today was not a security risk. Our teams are currently working to accommodate impacted passengers."
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Key Events
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Aer Lingus statement
Aer Lingus confirmed that a 'suspicious device' found on board a Birmingham Airport flight was 'not a security risk.'
For the full story, please click here.
'Check with airline due to potential delays - airport
Passengers are being advised check with their airlines due to potential delays.
A Birmingham Airport spokeswoman told BirminghamLive: “Birmingham Airport reopened at 1800 hours following a security incident on an aircraft.
“All passengers and crew disembarked safely. Customers are advised to check with their airline, or on the Birmingham Airport website, before checking in due to potential delays.”
'False call with very good intent' - police
West Midlands Police said the incident was a 'false call with very good intent.'
A police spokesperson told BirminghamLive: "We are currently at Birmingham Airport following a report of a suspicious item found on a flight destined for Belfast. The plane was diverted shortly after take-off and landed back at Birmingham airport just after 4pm.
"All passengers and crew have been evacuated safely and specialist officers including the dog unit have now searched the plane. The incident is now being dealt as a false call with very good intent and the item is not suspicious.
"The safety of all was our primary concern and there is no wider risk to the public and the airport re-opened at 6pm. We would like to thank the public for their patience and support while we dealt with this incident."
Airport reopens
West Midlands Police said they were called to the incident at Birmingham Airport today.
It was found there was no wider risk to the public and the airport re-opened after 6pm.
Footage of response
The emergency response was seen at Birmingham Airport.
Footage shows scores of vehicles near the runway.
Aer Lingus statement - 'Not a security risk'
An Aer Lingus spokeswoman told BirminghamLive: "We can confirm that an undeclared item discovered on Aer Lingus Regional flight EI3647, operated by Emerald Airlines, from Birmingham to Belfast today was not a security risk.
"Our teams are currently working to accommodate impacted passengers."
BirminghamLive has asked what the undeclared item was and is awaiting a response.
'Bomb squad vehicles on site'
The Aer Lingus Regional flight between Birmingham and Belfast returns to Birmingham Airport.
Bomb squad vehicles are reportedly on site
Birmingham flights diverted
Flights which were bound for Birmingham are now diverting to East Midlands Airport, Manchester Airport and Bristol Airport.
Others are being turned back around, according to traffic data monitor Inrix.
Flight path revealed
The plane's flight path has been revealed.
It shows the flight got as far as Stoke-on-Trent before it turned back to Birmingham.
#EAG47S from Birmingham (BHX) to Belfast (BHD) is squawking 7700 after departure, likely to return to Birmingham.https://t.co/joPjZNAp03
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) April 16, 2024
More info on squawking 7700 here. https://t.co/CRoOOMhDKB pic.twitter.com/DBXThp9BlH
'Check in as normal'
Birmingham Airport said that all customers who are due to travel today should 'make their way to the airport and check in as normal.'
There are currently no flights in or out of the city.
'All passengers and crew have disembarked'
All passengers and crew have disembarked the plane at Birmingham Airport.
This situation is ongoing.
'Temporarily suspended operations'
Birmingham Airport has 'temporarily suspended operations' due to a security incident on an aircraft.
The returning Aer Lingus flight is back at the airport.
Full story here.
