A minor but dramatic incident unfolded at Manchester Airport on Saturday morning when an easyJet flight bound for Lanzarote had a close call on the tarmac.
Rescue crews were seen rushing to the scene after the aircraft was involved in a ground collision during preparations for takeoff.
What Happened
Flight EZY 2029, scheduled to depart from Terminal 1 at 7 a.m., was about to push back when the front wheels of the plane made contact with the aircraft tug — the vehicle used to move planes that cannot reverse on their own.
Witnesses described a flurry of activity as airport staff and emergency responders quickly attended the aircraft.
Passenger Safety
Passengers were safely disembarked and later boarded an alternative aircraft while safety inspections were carried out.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and the incident did not disrupt other flights.
One gate was temporarily closed as a precaution, but operations continued largely as normal.
easyJet Responds
An easyJet spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News:
“Flight EZY2029 from Manchester to Lanzarote this morning was delayed after the tug came into contact with the aircraft during pushback.
Emergency services attended as a routine precaution.
Passengers disembarked and returned to the terminal, where we are providing refreshments while arranging an alternative aircraft for this afternoon.
Safety is our highest priority, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused by the delay.”
Keeping Flights on Track
While incidents like these are rare, airport staff acted quickly to ensure passenger safety and minimise delays.
Those travelling on EZY 2029 were able to continue their journey later in the day, and Manchester Airport confirmed that overall operations were not affected.
Stay Updated
Passengers and readers who were affected or have further details are encouraged to contact the reporter directly at fran.wolfisz@dailymail.co.uk.