On Sunday afternoon, December 22, 2024, chaos erupted at Belfast City Airport when an Aer Lingus positioning flight made a hard landing amid severe weather conditions, causing significant disruption to air travel.
The incident occurred around 4 PM when the aircraft, operated by Emerald Airlines, was returning from Edinburgh carrying four crew members—there were no passengers on board. Due to what reports described as adverse weather conditions, particularly high winds reaching up to 75 mph, the plane’s nose gear collapsed as it landed. This led to the aircraft coming to rest on its side, prompting the airport to declare a full emergency.
Images from the scene showed the stricken aircraft surrounded by emergency vehicles, including fire engines and ambulances, as crews hurried to secure the area and assist the crew. Thankfully, according to reports from PA, no injuries were sustained by any of the crew members involved.
A spokesperson for Belfast City Airport confirmed, “At around 16:00 today, Sunday December 22, an Aer Lingus regional flight, operated by Emerald Airlines, had an incident on landing.” The spokesperson emphasized the absence of passengers, reiteratively noting the swift enactment of the airport’s emergency procedures.
Due to the serious nature of the incident, the airport’s runway was closed for the remainder of the day, leading to the cancellation of at least 17 flights. Many aircraft were redirected to Belfast International Airport; the airport later reported on Twitter about the situation, explaining the logistical headaches caused by the influx of rerouted planes.
Emerald Airlines confirmed the situation well, stating, “An Emerald Airlines positioning flight, EA701P, with no passengers on board, flying from Edinburgh to Belfast City Airport, experienced a hard landing upon arriving due to adverse weather conditions.” Acknowledging the challenge of accommodating the sudden influx of redirected flights, Belfast International Airport urged patience among travelers and advised them to check their airline’s updates for the latest information.
The weather not only disrupted flights at Belfast but also caused widespread travel chaos across the UK. On the same day, the Met Office had issued yellow warnings predicting prolonged periods of strong winds, leading to cancellations and delays elsewhere, including the high-profile Heathrow Airport, where reports indicated around 100 flights were also affected.
Dan Stroud, a meteorologist from the Met Office, remarked on the unpredictable weather, “My advice for people travelling today and tonight is to take it easy, particularly in the north and east. The main concern is the potential for icy patches in some areas.” The warnings for high winds remained active, indicating the potential for enduring travel disruptions.
Several hours following the incident, the conditions began to improve, yet the runway at Belfast City Airport was anticipated to remain closed until at least the following day as emergency services continued their assessments and cleanup operations.
This event serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel, particularly during winter months when weather conditions can rapidly deteriorate. While the airport managed to navigate the crisis without injuries, the effects of the incident will be felt by many affected travelers for some time.
