Shannon Airport has suspended all flights from the Republic of Ireland transport hub after passengers were forced to evacuate a Boeing 763 aircraft, operated by Omni Air International. The airport confirmed an “incident” occurred at the terminal this morning, and emergency services had been called. All flights are currently suspended and the airport has taken to Twitter to update travellers scheduled to fly to and from the terminal this morning. The aircraft in question, which suffered an extrernal fire to the undercarriage, is currently being removed from the scene and the County Clare airport has told worried travellers it will update them further at 10am.
Shannon Airport’s official Twitter page states: “We can confirm that an incident has occurred at Shannon Airport involving a Boeing 763 aircraft.
“Emergency services are in attendance. All passengers and crew have disembarked.
“Airport operations temporarily suspended.
“More information to follow.”
It then added: “We are currently working to remove the aircraft from the scene of the incident so we can resume safe operations on the runway.”
Warning of delays, it added: “This may take some time.
“We are advising passengers to continue with check-in.”
Yet for those travelling on American Airlines flights, there is bad news.
A subsequent update said that passengers flying with American Airlines “will not be checked in until further notice”.
It is currently unclear just what has happened, the airport has simply stated it is an “incident.”
Yet Irish website, Clare FM, speculated there had been a fire on board, something which was later confirmed by an airport spokesperson.
They issued a Tweet which said: “All flights have been suspended at Shannon Airport, following a fire on a plane this morning.
“Passengers were evacuated and there are no reports of injuries.”
Another speculated it was an Omni Air International craft, again, something which was confirmed.
Another Twitter user posted: “The Omni Air 767 is a regular visitor to Shannon Airport. Foam spread underneath left hand side engine.”
Omni Air International took to its own page to put: “We are investigating reports of an incident involving Omni Air International flight 531 at Shannon Airport, Ireland.
“The Omni Boeing 767-300 aircraft rejected takeoff and was safely evacuated. Initial reports indicate no serious injuries to passengers or crew.”
It added: “Our primary concern at this time is for their safety. We are participating in the investigation of this incident and will release further information as it becomes available.”
Carrier Aer Lingus, whose hand luggage guidelines were also recently clarified, operates from the terminal.
It has cancelled routes to Heathrow following the mystery incident yet has been praised online by passengers for handing out food vouchers during the delays.
Passengers are being urged to contact their individual airlines for information.
A spokesperson for Shannon Airport told Express.co.uk: “Shannon Group has confirmed that airport operations at Shannon Airport have been temporarily suspended this morning due to an incident involving a Boeing 763 aircraft, Omni Air International 531, on the runway.
“Airport Emergency services are currently on the scene and earlier extinguished an external fire to the undercarriage.
“All passengers and crew have disembarked safely and are currently in the terminal building.
“The airport operations team are currently working with the operator to remove the aircraft from the runway.
“Intending passengers are asked to contact their airline. Further updates will be available on the airport Twitter page.”
