Inverness Airport closed after plane skids off runway
INVERNESS Airport has been closed after a plane with 47 passengers on board skidded off the runway this morning.
The Flybe aircraft slid off the surface of the runway on to the grass after arriving at the airport from Manchester at 10.13am.
The plane is still stuck on the grass by the side of the runway.
A Highlands and Islands Airports spokesman said: "Inverness Airport opened this morning following the standard Winter Operations processes and the runway and taxiway surfaces were prepared for aircraft operations in accordance with our licensing requirements.
"There is no indication that there were any issues with the runway or taxiway surface conditions, following a number of early morning arrivals and departures.
"As this incident is subject to investigation we cannot speculate on the cause at this point in time.
"The airport is closed to aircraft movements until 14:15, passengers should check in as normal and contact their airlines for further information."
Three fire engines, a heavy rescue unit and a foam unit attended the scene.
Subsequent flights have been cancelled, delayed or diverted.
The airport will remain closed until 2.15pm.
A Flybe spokeswoman said: “Flybe can confirm that, when taxiing at low speed at the end of the runway having landed safely at Inverness Airport this morning, the wheels of the Q400 aircraft skidded on the surface of the airfield causing it to slide onto the grass.
“The 47 passengers and four crew were unharmed and exited the aircraft by the stairs for bus transfer to the terminal where they collected their luggage as normal.
“The safety of its passengers and crew is the airline’s number one priority and Flybe regrets any inconvenience experienced as a result of this incident.“
