05/08/2008

Passengers 'Shook Up' After Runway Collision

Two aircraft have collided at Manchester airport as they were being taxied to the runway.

There were no injuries as the planes, carrying a combined 287 passengers and crew, touched wings as they were being taken out to Manchester Airport's first runway at 2pm on Tuesday afternoon.

An airport spokesman said the airport remained fully operational and there were no delays as a result of the incident.

It is reported that fire engines, ambulances and police vehicles were sent to the scene immediately after the incident.

The spokesman said: "There was a minor wing tip collision as the planes, a Futura carrying 180 passengers and a Lufthansa with 107 passenger, taxied towards Runway One."

Commenting on how passengers reacted, he said: "Obviously, if you are about to take flight it's not something you expect to happen so I'd imagine people are feeling a little bit shook up."

Fire crews used mobile stairways to board the two aircraft and examine them for damage.

The Airport Fire Service will assess both aircraft before they are returned to Terminal One.

The Futura jet was heading for Tenerife, while the Lufthansa to Frankfurt.

Passengers were taken back to the terminal are expected to complete their onward journeys later today.

(DS)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

09 August 2013
Oxfordshire Four-Runway Airport Plans Submitted
Plans for a new £18.2 billion four-runway airport in Oxfordshire have been submitted to the governments Airport Commission, which is investigating the possibility of airport expansion in the South East.
23 July 2013
Gatwick Reveal Second Runway Plans
Gatwick Airport has unveiled its preferred location for a second runway in expansion plans submitted to the Davies Commission. It is understood that the proposed second runway would be located south of the existing runway.
31 October 2008
Thomas Cook Flight Skids Off Runway
A Thomas Cook chartered flight carrying British passengers has skidded off the runway of an airport in the Canary Isles. The Air Europa Boeing-737 flight from Glasgow to Lanzarote came off the runway after touching down at the island's Arrecife airport at around 7.10am on Friday.
15 January 2009
Heathrow Third Runway Given Go-Ahead
Local residents from a community set for demolition to make way for a new runway at London's Heathrow airport, have today spoken of their dismay at the decision. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon today confirmed the expansion, despite widespread opposition from residents, environmental protesters and MPs.
31 March 2014
EasyJet To Create 2,500 Jobs
easyJet has agreed a new 10 year deal with London Luton Airport which could see the airline more than double its size at the airport from four to nine million passengers a year. The expansion would also see the creation of 2,500 new jobs at the airport and in the surrounding region.