Emergency services were called to a runway at the airport, according to onlookers
By Eleanor Lawson
BBC News, West Midlands
Birmingham Airport has temporarily suspended all flights after there was believed to have been a security incident on a plane.
However Aer Lingus said the undeclared item on their regional flight, from Birmingham to Belfast, was not a security risk.
A spokesperson added: “Our teams are currently working to accommodate impacted passengers.”
A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said the aircraft landed safely.
Everyone was taken off the plane and “all customers due to travel should make their way to the airport and check in as normal,” they added.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “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 16:00.”
Several flights at the airport have been delayed by more than two hours, according to departure updates on the airport’s website.
A spokesperson for East Midlands Airport confirmed the airport had received a number of flights that have been diverted since Birmingham was closed, including a Ryanair flight from Lanzarote.
Train services were also at a standstill at Birmingham International railway station with West Midlands Railway confirming this was due to the incident at the airport.
Network Rail said at about 18:20 BST all rail lines have reopened but disruption was expected until about 19:00 BST.
Image source, Getty Images
More than 10 million passengers travelled through Birmingham Airport in 2022, according to figures released last year (generic picture)
Joanne Roberts and her two-year-old daughter were stuck on a plane to Egypt which was due to leave Birmingham Airport at 15:25 BST.
Ms Roberts said she was on the plane since 15:00 BST.
“The only thing we’ve been officially told by airplane staff is that another plane called mayday around 3:45 and then once the plane had landed we were told emergency services are here,” she told the BBC.
“Everything else people have found out through social media.
“Airplane staff had handed out water, Sudoku and colouring for the children but we’re being told we will be updated every 20 mins.”
At about 18:10 BST, Ms Roberts told the BBC staff had told passengers the runway was due to reopen soon.
More than 10 million passengers travelled through Birmingham Airport in 2022, according to figures released last year.
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