The Aer Lingus Regional ATR aircraft had four crew members onboard when it got into trouble touching down at George Best Airport at around 4pm on Sunday.
It’s understood the nose gear collapsed in a hard landing during strong gusts of wind as the flight arrived from Edinburgh.
Images from the scene show the turboprop plane on the side of a runway with two fire appliances positioned nearby.
A number of flights have been diverted to Belfast International Airport as a result of the incident, including a British Airways flight from London City and an Aer Lingus flight from Leeds Bradford.
But the travel hub at Aldergrove has warned it has limited capacity during what is a busy time of the year.
A Belfast International Airport spokesperson confirmed it has taken in four diverted flights so far.
“As we have a heavier schedule than usual we are now, with these additional flights, close to capacity so we are limited in how many more redirected flights we can take this evening but we will continue to support where possible,” they said.
“Our website will carry the most up to date information for arrivals and departures and passengers should contact their airline directly.
“Given the circumstances, our teams on the ground are working to help these additional flights as quickly as possible.
“We would ask for passengers patience as we support each additional flight.”
The situation could result in significant delays for passengers bound for Belfast City Airport.
A spokesperson there said no passengers were on the aircraft involved in the incident.
“At around 4pm today, Sunday 22 December, an Aer Lingus regional flight, operated by Emerald Airlines, had an incident on landing at Belfast City Airport,” they said.
“This was a positioning flight with no passengers but four crew members onboard.
“The airport’s emergency procedures were enacted.
“The runway is currently closed and will be for the rest of the day.
“Passengers are asked to contact their airline.”
A spokesperson from Emerald Airlines said the “positioning flight, EA701P, with no passengers on board, flying from Edinburgh to Belfast City Airport, 22nd December 2024, experienced a hard landing upon arriving into Belfast City Airport due to adverse weather conditions.”
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