An Aer Lingus ATR 72-600 was diverted back to Birmingham Airport (BHX) after an ‘undeclared item’ was found onboard the plane while flying to Belfast International Airport (BHD).
The Emerald Airlines-operated ATR 72-600 made an emergency landing, as Birmingham Airport suspended all other flights.
Four armored vehicles and specialist officers could be seen making their way to the isolated aircraft for inspection.
A live feed of the developing incident was broadcast on YouTube, showing dozens of passengers leaving the aircraft.
After police finished inspecting the aircraft and the ‘undeclared item’, the incident was stood down and the airport was given the all clear.
LIVE / INCIDENT: Birmingham closed while security deal with potential suspect package on board Aer Lingus/Emerald ATR 72-600 G-CMJJ. #EAG47S squawked 7700 General Emergency after dep. & ret. to BHX.
— Airport Webcams (@AirportWebcams) April 16, 2024
Watch 'Airport Action' live broadcast: https://t.co/Fi2atdj3pB
Img (c) streamer pic.twitter.com/6shkf1AOgi
West Midlands Police confirmed that the incident was now being dealt with as a “false call with very good intent”.
“All passengers and crew have been evacuated safely and specialist officers including the dog unit have now searched the plane,” West Midlands Police added.
Birmingham Airport reopened at 18:00 following the incident, with many of the evening’s flights subsequently delayed and some even canceled.
“We can confirm that an undeclared item discovered on Aer Lingus Regional flight EI3647, operated by Emerald Airlines, from Birmingham to Belfast today was not a security risk. Our teams are currently working to accommodate impacted passengers,” a spokesperson for Aer Lingus said.
Emerald Airlines is the exclusive operator of the Aer Lingus Regional route network.