Frustrated passengers at Birmingham Airport have been left stranded on planes and evacuated to the National Exhibition Centre after all flights were suspended following a report of a ‘suspicious vehicle’.
Holidaymakers were warned not to come to the terminal this afternoon as police dealt with an incident.
Birmingham Airport posted on social media that airport operations had been suspended and all transport links to the airport had been cancelled.
A number of people went online to vocalise their frustrations at seeing their plans cancelled, with some claiming they were only informed once they were on the aircraft.
Others posted footage of passengers being evacuated from the terminal and taken on a 15 minute walk to the nearby NEC building.
Police cordon off roads and passengers had to wait with their luggage as Birmingham Airport was evacuated
Two holidaymakers leave with their luggage as they are evacuated from Birmingham Airport
People went online to vocalise their frustrations at seeing their plans cancelled, with some claiming they were only informed once they were on the aircraft
A number of other accounts also claimed they had not been told why their flights would not be leaving the ground
One unhappy customer posted footage of the evacuees in the NEX onto X, with the caption : ‘So this is fun. Birmingham Airport has been evacuated after reports of a ‘suspicious vehicle’ and we’ve all been herded to the NEC.’
Another person said his 81-year-old mother was stuck on a plane in Alacante because of the disruption.
The X user posted a screenshot of his text conversation with his mother, in which she wrote to him: ‘Stuck on a plane there’s a police incident at airport so all flights have been cancelled and not allowed off. It doesn’t say why though.’
The son added: ‘Oh, blimey, my mom is on the way back from Alacante after visiting my sister she’s just texted me …. She’s 81 !!!’
Various other X accounts also claimed they had not been told why their flights would not be leaving the ground.
One person wrote: ‘It’s ridiculous. Passengers on flights are in there for almost hour and half, disabled passengers are frustrated & exhausted. This airport should have NOT taken this long to deal this matter for this long. It’s a shame.’
A second added: ‘Stuck on the plane… can someone tell us what’s happening please! Surely you know by now if whatever is an actual threat or not!’
Birmingham Airport has now confirmed that passengers are being allowed back into the terminal, but disruptions will be ongoing.
A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport said: ‘Following a Police investigation, operations are now returning to normal. If travelling today, customers are advised to check their latest flight information and arrive at the airport in line with their check-in opening times.
Another person said his 81-year-old mother was stuck on a plane in Alacante because of the disruption
Police officers stand with evacuated passengers outside the police cordon
A police officer diverts incoming cars to the airport after it is evacuated
The update from Birmingham Airport at 1.34pm today
‘While we apologise for any inconvenience and disruption, the safety and security of everyone at the airport was our number one priority as we worked through this incident with Police partners. ‘
One picture taken from the scene showed a police car blocking the approach to the airport earlier, while another showed passengers and staff being evacuated.
Video footage viewed by MailOnline also showed cars being turned away.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing what they believed to be a bomb disposal team at the terminal, while other reports say some passengers are stuck on grounded flights.
The airport has advised customers booked on flights to contact their airline and wait for further updates.
One person wrote on ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter: ‘My mum and dad are stuck on a plane at Birmingham Airport. They have no idea what’s going on, they just got back from Spain.’
Another person said: ‘F****ng hell I’m meant to be going on holiday and I’ve just got to Birmingham Airport, everything’s blocked off. F****ng typical this…’
Another added: ‘I am stuck on a plane, claustrophobic, pleading to get off. How long is this situation going to take?’.
A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport said: ‘West Midlands Police is currently on-site dealing with an incident.
‘Airport operations are currently suspended. Passengers are advised to NOT come to the airport at this time.
Police redirect vehicles away from Birmingham Airport as it is evacuated
Passengers waiting with their luggage for further updates as Birmingham Airport was evacuated
A passenger speaks to a police officer on site as they stand by the cordon in place
Hundreds of passengers have been evacuated and all planes grounded after a ‘suspicious vehicle’ was discovered at Birmingham Airport
Passengers and staff being evacuated from Birmingham Airport this afternoon as police deal with an ongoing incident
A police car diverting cars away from the airport as West Midlands Police deal with an ongoing incident
Passengers were evacuated to Birmingham’s NEC event space
Passengers await further instructionsafter they were evacuated from Birmingham Airport
Pictured: Passengers have been directed out of the airport as police deal with an ongoing incident
‘The Airport’s social media channels will be updated as and when the situation changes.
‘For passengers with immediate flights this afternoon they should contact their airline and check the Airport’s website for updates.’
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police added: ‘Birmingham Airport is currently being evacuated following a report of suspicious vehicle.
‘This is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.’
West Midlands Fire Service said it had two officers at the airport who are ‘working closely with police, ambulance and airport staff’.
Coach travel company National Express has said its services to Birmingham Airport have been suspended.
A spokesperson for National Express said: ‘Until further notice, we are not serving Birmingham Airport due to an ongoing incident.
‘The Alternative stop is now Birmingham International Rail Station. Please accept our apologies at this time.’
