Emergency services descended on Manchester Airport following reports that a fire had broken out on a TUI aircraft. Fire crews rushed to Terminal Two shortly after the flight landed from Menorca at around 3.45pm on Saturday (July 30).
Passengers reported seeing an 'enormous' amount of smoke coming from the right side of the plane. Witnesses told the Manchester Evening News the fire was extinguished by cabin staff shortly before emergency services arrived.
A TUI spokesperson confirmed the aircraft was met by the fire service following a 'technical fault' on arrival into the airport and that all passengers had been able to disembark.
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Several holidaymakers reported that planes were temporarily unable to land or take off from the airport following the emergency onboard the aircraft, which had been returning from Mahon in Menorca.
One passenger wrote on Twitter: "Wonder what’s going on at Manchester Airport. Had a go around and now nothing taking off or landing and in holding positions."
Another said: "Sat on the ground waiting for take and saw a few fire engines and other emergency vehicles going past. They've said on our flight that there was an incident with an arriving flight."
One holidaymaker said he witnessed the fire as he waited in the airport's Escape Lounge for his flight to Fuerteventura, which was due to take off in the same aircraft.
He told the M.E.N: "As it approached gate 106 after arriving at Manchester Airport from Menorca at about 4pm this afternoon it stopped and then as it set off again there was an enormous amount of smoke from the right engine.
"Then there was a fire in the same engine as it pulled into the gate. The pilots put the fire out before the emergency services arrived."
A spokesperson for TUI said: "We can confirm flight TOM2609 from Mahon to Manchester, which was operated by an airline partner, experienced a technical fault on arrival to the stand and was met by the fire service. We are in contact with the airline to get information about the incident and to confirm when the aircraft can return to service.
"The safety of our passengers and crews on partner airlines always remains our highest priority. The aircraft was completely safe to land, and all passengers have been disembarked. We understand how unsettling it can be when an aircraft is met by emergency services so we will continue to offer our full support.
"We’d like to apologise to all customers for the inconvenience and thank them for their patience and understanding at this time."
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