Birmingham airport in England is “returning to normal” after flights were grounded and the site evacuated while police responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle.
In a statement, the airport said: “Following a police investigation, operations are now returning to normal. Whilst we apologise for any inconvenience and disruption, the safety and security of everyone at the airport was our No 1 priority as we worked through this incident with police partners.”
West Midlands police said the airport was “partially evacuated” so a vehicle could be searched and assessed. “Following a search by the explosive ordnance disposal team the vehicle was deemed to be safe. The vehicle is no longer being treated as suspicious. The safety of all was our primary concern and there is no wider risk to the public,” the force said.
“The airport has resumed normal business with minimal disruption. We would like to thank the public for their patience and support while we dealt with this incident.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the airport had said its operations were affected and advised all passengers to stay away. Passengers reported being escorted outside the airport building to the nearby National Exhibition Centre.
Crowds of people, many with suitcases, found themselves behind police tape as they were moved away from the scene.
West Midlands fire service said it had crews on standby at the airport, while teams from West Midlands ambulance service were also in attendance “as a precautionary measure as police deal with reports of a suspicious vehicle”.
The airport later said passengers could return to the airport, advising them to check the latest flight information before travelling.
The departures board showed a number of flights scheduled to take off on Wednesday were delayed by more than two hours while the airport was evacuated. Other passengers reported being stuck on planes on the airport runway after landing.
After the latest announcement, passengers said they were being slowly allowed back into the airport building, but further disruption was expected for a number of hours.
Dublin Airport’s website said on Wednesday evening that one flight to Birmingham, Ryanair’s FR664, originally scheduled to depart at 3.10pm, had been delayed until 5.25pm. – Guardian