Monday, December 23, 2024

Birmingham Airport suspends flights as police deal with ‘suspicious vehicle’: Passengers left stuck on planes and getaways in chaos as holidaymakers warned NOT to come to terminal

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  • Have YOU been affected? Email megan.howe@mailonline.co.uk  

Birmingham Airport has suspended all flights and staff and passengers have been evacuated following a report of a ‘suspicious vehicle’.

Holidaymakers have been warned not to come to the terminal this afternoon as police are on-site dealing with an incident. 

West Midlands Police said the airport was currently being evacuated ‘following a report of a suspicious vehicle’. 

Birmingham Airport posted on social media that airport operations have currently been suspended and all transport links to the airport have been cancelled. 

One picture taken from the scene showed a police car blocking the approach to the airport, while another showed passengers and staff being evacuated. 

Video footage seen by MailOnline also showed cars being turned away. 

Eyewitnesses have reported what they believed to be a bomb disposal team at the terminal, while other reports say some passengers are stuck on grounded flights. 

Pictured: Passengers and staff being evacuated from Birmingham Airport this afternoon as police deal with an ongoing incident 

Pictured: A police car diverting cars away from the airport as West Midlands Police deal with an ongoing incident

Pictured: A police car diverting cars away from the airport as West Midlands Police deal with an ongoing incident 

The airport has advised customers due to get on flights to contact their airline and wait for future 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.’  

Bus services which pass by the airport have also been affected. Diversions and delays are expected on the X1, X12 and 97a routes, but trains do not appear to be affected. 

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.

The update from Birmingham Airport at 1.34pm today

The update from Birmingham Airport at 1.34pm today 

‘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.’ 

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.’

This is a breaking news story, more to follow.  

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