31/10/2008

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.

Passengers onboard the AEA-196 flight were unhurt by the accident, but are said to have felt "strong vibrations in the wings". There were 74 passengers onboard the flight. Emergency services were called to the airport this morning to remove the aircraft.

A Thomas Cook spokesman said: "We can confirm that an Air Europa flight AEA196, which was chartered by Thomas Cook, was involved in a runway incident at Lanzarote's Arrecife Airport this morning.

"Thomas Cook staff were on hand at the airport to assist all passengers and can confirm that all guests are now en route to their holiday hotels.

"Thomas Cook has called on Air Europa and the airport authorities to provide a full explanation."

Airport chiefs have grounded all flights in and out of Lanzarote while the plane is removed. It has been reported the plane suffered a broken axle and ended up perpendicular to the runway.

A spokesman for Air Europa said: "There was a problem on landing. All the passengers left the plane and are fine and being taken to their hotels."

(JM)

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

21 April 2010
EC Lorry Fears Over Ash Contingency
Contingency plans being made this week for goods movements on foot of earlier flight restrictions could still be thwarted by European bureaucracy.
24 March 2014
UK Analysis Leads To Flight MH370 Breakthrough
A breakthrough in the search for missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 is based on work by UK analyst and British satellite firm, Inmarsat. Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak announced that fresh analysis of satellite data revealed that Flight MH370 crashed in the Indian Ocean.
27 July 2005
Concern focuses on damaged shuttle tile
Nasa astronauts will today focus on examining the thermal protection system of the space shuttle that was visibly damaged during lift-off. The inspections will be conducted as Discovery's crew make preparations to dock with the International Space Station and get ready for three planned spacewalks.
04 September 2015
Woman Arrested On Easyjet Flight
A woman has been arrested after she was able to board an Easyjet flight at Gatwick Airport – despite not having a passport or boarding pass.
29 January 2015
Snow Grounds Flights At Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport has suspended all flights due to heavy snowfall, which has caused widespread transport disruption across northern England. Despite the flight suspensions, air passengers have been told to continue to travel to the airport as normal as it is hoped the flights will resume as soon as possible.