By james art Flights were delayed after a bomb threat forced hundreds of passengers to evacuate Birmingham Airport on Wednesday afternoon.
Holidaymakers were ordered to leave the UK’s seventh-largest airport as bomb disposal experts from West Midlands Police 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 travel chaos.
“Following a search by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, the vehicle is deemed safe. The vehicle is no longer being treated as suspicious,” police told X.
“Everyone’s safety was our primary concern and as a precaution the airport was partially evacuated so the vehicle could be searched and assessed.”
The airport has now reopened and customers are advised to check their latest flight information and arrive at the airport in accordance with check-in hours.
It is the second time the airport has been evacuated this year since a security incident on a plane in April.
Are you affected by this incident? Email [email protected]
Key points
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Bomb scare forces hundreds to evacuate
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West Midlands Fire Service is sending officers to the scene
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What are your rights when a flight goes wrong?
What are your rights when a flight goes wrong?
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 6:51 p.m , Alexander Butler
What are your rights when a flight goes wrong?
What are your rights when a flight goes wrong?
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 5:30 p.m , Alexander Butler
What are your rights when a flight goes wrong?
Watch: Police cordon off Birmingham Airport as passengers evacuate
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 5:01 p.m , Alexander Butler
Police cordon off Birmingham Airport as passengers are evacuated following reports of a suspicious vehicle
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 4:36 p.m , Alexander Butler
Police cordon off Birmingham Airport as passengers evacuate
What are your rights when a flight goes wrong?
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 4:30 p.m , Alexander Butler
What are your rights when a flight goes wrong?
A bomb scare forced hundreds to evacuate as flights were delayed for hours
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 4:27 PM , Alexander Butler
Flights were delayed after a bomb threat forced hundreds of passengers to evacuate Birmingham Airport on Wednesday afternoon.
Holidaymakers were ordered to leave the UK’s seventh-largest airport as bomb disposal experts from West Midlands Police rushed to inspect a suspicious vehicle parked near the building.
Flights to Paris, Madrid and Tenerife were among those delayed as passengers were advised to contact their airlines for more information.
“Following a search by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, the vehicle is deemed safe. The vehicle is no longer being treated as suspicious,” police told X.
“Everyone’s safety was our primary concern and as a precaution the airport was partially evacuated so the vehicle could be searched and assessed.”
Watch: Birmingham Airport evacuated and passengers taken to NEC after ‘suspicious vehicle’ scare.
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 4:04 p.m , Alexander Butler
Analysis by The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 4:03 p.m , Alexander Butler
Earlier this year, many passengers were delayed at Birmingham Airport due to long queues at security, with some passengers missing flights.
The airport boss hit back at criticism of the delays, saying a last-minute government decision had created a “very difficult situation for us”.
Chief executive Nick Barton said most passengers get through security in less than half an hour, with extra procedures to deal with peak traffic.
The West Midlands hub was the only major UK airport to meet the June 1, 2024 deadline to install Next Generation security scanners.
They are designed to allow security officials to get a much clearer view of any potentially threatening items in passengers’ hand luggage – and allow passengers to carry much larger quantities of liquids, aerosols and gels (“LAGs”) through screening -the checkpoint than the container of 100 ml limit.
Birmingham Airport is investing £60m in new equipment ahead of the summer peak. The intention was to speed up the security process.
But after ministers decided to return to the previous 100ml limit, far more bags than expected are being rejected – and removed for manual searches.
“Unfortunately, unforeseen events got in the way of good strategy and created a very difficult situation for us here in Birmingham.
“We are still grappling with the consequences of these changes, but we are working on our plan to make things better,” Mr Barton said The Independent.
The timing of today’s incident was not as bad as it could have been: a Wednesday afternoon in late October is not peak time, although some half-term holidaymakers will be affected.
Airport renewal
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 3:51 p.m , Alexander Butler
Birmingham Airport is to reopen after a mass evacuation following reports of a suspicious vehicle outside the building.
A spokesman said: “Following a police investigation, operations are now back to normal. If traveling today, customers are advised to check their latest flight information and arrive at the airport in accordance with check-in hours.
“While we apologize for the inconvenience and disruption, the safety and security of everyone at the airport was our number one priority as we worked through this incident with law enforcement partners.”
CUSTOMER INFORMATION – UPDATED
After a police investigation, operations are now back to normal. If traveling today, customers are advised to check their latest flight information and arrive at the airport in accordance with check-in hours.
While we… pic.twitter.com/C7AEyb4E19
— Birmingham Airport (@bhx_official) October 23, 2024
Passengers stuck on the tarmac
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 3:37 PM , Alexander Butler
Passengers have expressed frustration at being stuck on planes waiting near the runway at Birmingham Airport.
“I sat on a plane at the airport – I’ve been here for an hour,” said one passenger in response to the airport’s social media post.
Another added: “My mum is stuck on a plane on the runway in Birmingham on the way back from Spain. No one is allowed to get off the plane.
Are you affected by this incident? Email [email protected]
In the photo: Passengers are waiting in front of the airport
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 3:26 p.m , Alexander Butler
Air passenger compensation: What are your rights when a flight goes wrong?
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 3:16 p.m , Simon Calder
Your flight is cancelled, overbooked or delayed: what, if any, does the airline owe you?
The rules are complicated and depend on where your flight originates 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 simply need to chalk up a dismal aviation episode to an expensive experience and see if your insurance company can help.
To make things even more complicated, some airlines don’t have a great record of telling passengers their rights or providing the care and cash they expect.
Read more from The Independent. travel correspondent Simon Calder here:
What are your rights when a flight goes wrong?
Passengers have been advised not to visit Birmingham Airport
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 3:14 PM , Alexander Butler
Passengers are advised not to visit Birmingham Airport due to a police incident.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the airport said: “West Midlands Police are currently dealing with an incident.
“Airport operations are currently suspended. Passengers are advised not to come to the airport at this time.
“The airport’s social media channels will be updated as the situation changes.”
Passenger rights
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 3:10 p.m , Simon Calder
When flights are disrupted, European passenger rights rules are the most robust in the world for passengers.
Whatever the reason for a long delay or cancellation, EU and UK airlines must provide adequate food and accommodation until you can be flown to your destination.
If a carrier cancels a flight, it is obligated to get you to your destination as soon as possible, purchasing a seat on a competing 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 food, until they can be brought home.
As the cause is beyond the control of the airlines, no monetary compensation is payable.
People evacuated from the airport moved to the NEC
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 2:50 p.m , Alex Ross
People evacuated from Birmingham Airport were sent to the nearby National Exhibition Centre.
The NEC is located across Birmingham International railway station from the airport.
One person wrote to X: “This is fun. Birmingham Airport was evacuated following reports of a ‘suspicious vehicle’ and we were all sent to the NEC.’
So that’s fun. Birmingham Airport was evacuated following reports of a ‘suspicious vehicle’ and we were all sent to the NEC. pic.twitter.com/NTmo4sIUGD
— Sally Davis (@AllThingsBarna) October 23, 2024
Statement from West Midlands Fire Service
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 2:47 p.m , Alex Ross
A spokesman said: “Just after 12.20pm today we were made aware of an ongoing incident at Birmingham Airport.
“There are currently two officers on site working closely with the police, ambulance and airport staff. Local resources are on standby, ready to provide additional support if needed.”
Birmingham Airport released a statement
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 2:35 p.m , Alex Ross
A spokesman for Birmingham Airport said: “West Midlands Police are currently dealing with an ongoing incident at the scene.
“Airport operations are currently affected and passengers should not come to the airport at this time.
“The airport’s social channels will be updated as the situation changes. Passengers with immediate flights this afternoon should contact their airline and check the airport website for updates.