Birmingham Airport latest: Flights delayed after bomb scare forces hundreds of passengers to evacuate
Bomb disposal experts rushed to Birmingham Airport following reports of a suspicious vehicle
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Flights have been delayed after a bomb scare forced hundreds of passengers to evacuate Birmingham Airport on Wednesday afternoon.
Holidaymakers were ordered to leave the airport, which is the seventh largest in the UK, as West Midlands Police bomb disposal experts rushed to inspect a suspicious vehicle parked near the building.
Flights to Paris, Madrid and Tenerife were among those delayed as some passengers were forced to wait on the tarmac for hours in the face of the travel chaos.
“Following a search by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team the vehicle was deemed to be safe. The vehicle is no longer being treated as suspicious,” police said on X.
“The safety of all was our primary concern and as a precautionary measure the airport was partially evacuated so the vehicle could be searched and assessed.”
The airport has now reopened and customers have been advised to check their latest flight information and arrive at the airport in line with check-in opening times.
It is the second time the airport has been evacuated this year following a security incident on an aircraft in April.
Have you been affected by this incident? Email alexander.butler@independent.co.uk
Passengers stuck on tarmac
Passengers have expressed frustration at being stuck on planes waiting near the runway at Birmingham Airport.
“Sat on a plane in the airport - been here an hour already,” one passenger said in response to the airport’s post on social media.
Another added: “My mum is stuck on a plane on the runway in Birmingham on return from Spain. No one is allowed off plane.”
Have you been affected by this incident? Email alexander.butler@independent.co.uk
Pictured: Passengers wait outside airport
Air passenger compensation: What are your rights when a flight goes wrong?
Your flight is cancelled, overbooked or delayed: what, if anything, does the airline owe you?
The rules are tangled and depend on where your flight begins and the airline involved. Sometimes you may be entitled to a hotel room, all meals and hundreds of pounds in cash; in other circumstances you may just have to put a dismal aviation episode down to expensive experience, and see if your travel insurer can help.
To complicate matters further, some airlines do not have a great record about telling passengers about their rights or delivering the stipulated care and cash.
Read more by The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder here:
What are your rights when a flight goes wrong?
Rules for cancellations, overbooking and long delays are tangled. This guide is here to help
Passengers advised not to attend Birmingham Airport
Passengers are being advised not to attend Birmingham Airport due to a police incident.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the airport said: “West Midlands Police is currently on-site dealing with an incident.
“Airport operations are currently suspended. Passengers are advised to not come to the airport at this time.
“The airport’s social media channels will be updated as and when the situation changes.”
Passenger’s rights
When flights are disrupted, European air passengers’ rights rules are the most robust in the world for travellers.
Whatever the cause of a long delay or cancellation, EU and UK airlines must provide meals and accommodation as appropriate until you can be flown to your destination.
If a carrier cancels a flight, it is obliged to get you to your destination as soon as possible by buying a seat on a rival airline if necessary.
This applies to passengers at both ends of the route; many thousands of holidaymakers currently abroad are likely to be stranded overnight, with the airline paying for hotels and meals until they can be brought home.
Since the cause is well beyond the control of airlines, no cash compensation is payable.
People evacuated from airport 'moved to NEC’
People evacuated from Birmingham Airport have been sent to the nearby National Exhibition Centre.
The NEC sits the other side of Birmingham International railway station from the airport.
One person wrote on X: “So this is fun. Birmingham Airport has been evacuated after reports of a ‘suspicious vehicle’ and we’ve all been herded to the NEC.”
West Midlands Fire Service issue statement
A spokesperson said: “Shortly after 12.20pm today, we were notified of an ongoing incident at Birmingham Airport.
“Two officers are currently on site, working closely with police, ambulance, and airport staff. Local resources are on standby, ready to provide additional support if needed.”
Birmingham Airport issues statement
A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: “West Midlands Police is currently dealing with an ongoing incident on-site.
“Airport operations are currently impacted, and passengers should not come to the airport at this time.
“The Airport’s social channels will be updated as and when the situation changes. For passengers with immediate flights this afternoon they should contact their airline and check the airport’s website for updates.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments