Travelers attempting to reach their destinations for Christmas faced unforeseen chaos on December 22 when an Aer Lingus Regional flight crash-landed at Belfast City Airport. The incident, which transpired at around 4 PM, unfolded during severe weather conditions characterized by gusts reaching up to 82mph, leading to significant disruption across the UK's transport network.
The aircraft, operated by Emerald Airlines, was executing what is known as a "positioning flight" from Edinburgh to Belfast without any passengers onboard—only four crew members were present when the nose wheel collapsed upon landing. Eyewitness accounts detailed the dramatic moment as sparks flew from the undercarriage of the aircraft as it skidded down the runway, with the nose slamming first onto the tarmac. The abrupt landing prompted immediate action from emergency services at Belfast City Airport. "At 4:15 PM, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service dispatched four appliances and specialist teams to the scene," their spokesperson confirmed. "We encountered an aircraft which had experienced a nose wheel collapse on landing.”
Once the emergency response was activated, Belfast City Airport closed its runway indefinitely to handle the aftermath of the incident. The airport spokesperson announced, "The runway is currently closed and will be for the rest of the day. The airport’s emergency procedures were enacted immediately after the incident occurred." This closure led to widespread cancellation of flights, stranding many travelers eager to get home for the holidays.
Reports indicated multiple flights were diverted to Belfast International Airport, which warned it was operating close to capacity due to the influx of redirected traffic. "We’ve taken four diverted flights so far," said the spokesperson for Belfast International Airport. "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, but we will continue to support where possible.”
Travelers like Sarah O’Connell, who had been aboard another flight from Southampton to Belfast, described the unexpected upheaval. Initially anticipating landing at Belfast City, her flight was diverted to Belfast International, later sending passengers to Dublin when both local airports reached their limits. "Then the pilot announced we were being diverted to Dublin as Belfast International was at capacity," she recalled, remaining grateful for the orderly management of the situation.
The harsh weather not only disrupted air travel but also affected ferry services, with P&O Ferries announcing cancellations for journeys between Larne and Cairnryan. The extreme conditions also prompted cancellations of numerous Loganair flights to the Hebridean islands, leading to what the AA described as the "perfect storm" of travel chaos.
Reflecting on the broader impact of the weather, Dan Stroud, from the Met Office, warned about continued adverse conditions as millions were expected to travel across the UK during the busy pre-Christmas weekend. Authorities urged the public to exercise caution and plan for potential delays, advising travelers to check their airlines for the latest updates.
While the crash landing of the Aer Lingus flight has fortunately resulted in no injuries, it serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers posed by severe weather conditions to air travel. With such high winds disrupting the schedules of thousands, officials are hopeful weather conditions will improve for the upcoming Christmas week, indicating more favorable travel opportunities. "Travelers should remain patient as emergency services and airport staff work diligently to manage the aftermath of this incident," advised Peter McReynolds, a local politician. "We are grateful to everyone involved for their swift actions and support during this tumultuous time."
