Terrified air passengers have told how a plane smashed into a walkway at Edinburgh Airport as holidaymakers waited to board.
Flyers have told how they were left panicked following the incident, which took place on Monday. Akra Diusz, who was due to be flying to Doha with Qatar Airways, said he was led onto the aircraft before the crew moved them off again in a hurry.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, he said: "We were told to get off the plane and given no information at all. We were really worried because no one knew what was happening."
Later, Diusz was told by special assistance staff that the plane had collided with the air bridge linking the airport gate to the aircraft. Diusz said passengers were told nothing as they boarded the plane as usual for the 2.45pm flight. Yet shortly after boarding, they were told to get off the plane.
“We weren’t told anything else, just to get off the plane. We saw staff looking shocked and some seemed panicked and worried. We didn’t know what was going on. Then, we were given a bottle of water and nothing else for six or seven hours,” said Diusz.
A Swissport spokesperson, which operates the air bridge, said: “Swissport takes health and safety very seriously and an investigation is underway with our airline partner.”
Diusz said passengers were forced to stand around and wait with their luggage for hours while ground transport from the tarmac to the pick up zone was arranged and they spent another two or three hours near the taxi rank waiting for transport to hotels for the night.
“All together we were waiting for six or seven hours. Children were running around crying because they were cold and hungry. One of the airport staff gave up their last pack of crisps to a hungry child. At one point, Swissport lost all contact with us while we were standing outside in the cold,” he said.
“Swissport staff literally disappeared while this was going on and after being asked to help out with transport for the passengers, the Swissport manager also disappeared leaving the airport staff and us with no communication. We found out about the crash just before we finally managed to receive transport, but it wasn’t from our flight operator as they were nowhere to be seen.
"We were told by special assistance people that were taking care of disabled passengers. They were the ones that let us know what happened.”
A spokesperson for Qatar Airways said: “We can confirm that Qatar Airways flight QR030 from EDI to DOH on Monday 26 September 2022 was delayed due to a minor incident where the airbridge made contact with the aircraft engine cowling while disconnecting prior to departure.
"All passengers were provided with hotel accommodations and assisted individually with regards to connecting flights. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this delay.”
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