Birmingham Airport operations are back to normal after an aircraft skidded off the runway on September 21, 2012.
The Monarch Airlines aircraft, ZB467, from Nice veered off the runaway on Friday and came to a halt with all of its 135 passengers and crew unharmed, while taxiing to the terminal.
The airport was closed straight away after the incident, initially for emergency services offered to the affected crew and passengers onboard the Boeing 737-300, but later was opened to regular passengers.
The airport statement said, ‘Passengers left the aircraft by the steps; no one was hurt. The airport is open with flights arriving and departing. Some departing flights may still be subject to delay. Passengers should contact the airline directly.’
The aircraft was being operated by Aurela Airlines, under a charter agreement with Monarch Airlines.
The Monarch Airlines statement on its website later reported, ‘It is understood that the flight operating on an Aurela Boeing 737-300 aircraft registration LY-SKA with 135 passengers onboard left the runway whilst taxiing to the terminal, bringing the aircraft to a stop. Passengers safely disembarked from the aircraft and were coached to the terminal where they were cared for by Monarch Airlines staff. At this time we understand that no passengers or crew have sustained any injuries.
Monarch apologizes to all passengers on-board and is offering them all possible assistance. Monarch is working with Birmingham Airport to move the aircraft and is fully assisting with the authorities. As a standard precaution emergency services attended the aircraft.
We have suspended the use of Aurela Airlines who we had been using on a temporary basis to provide extra flights for the late summer period.’
Several passengers on the flight have reported that there was no panic at the scene, and ‘It was all very British’, as was reported in the Daily Mail’s news website.
