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EasyJet planes collide at Manchester Airport causing chaos for thousands of holidaymakers

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Two easyJet Airbus A320 aircraft clipped wings whilst taxiing at Manchester Airport this morning, sparking flight disruptions and delays for thousands of passengers at Britain’s third busiest airport.

The collision occurred at approximately 6:30am as the jets were preparing for departure, with one flight bound for Gibraltar and the other scheduled to fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle. Dramatic photographs taken by passengers showed visible damage to the aircraft wing tips following the incident.

Phil Aspin, a passenger on board the Gibraltar-bound flight, tweeted a photograph of the damaged wing with its tip twisted downwards, writing: “We’ve crashed on the runway.

Another horrified passenger described looking out of their window to witness the collision, stating: “Just on the plane at Manchester Airport and another plane has just hit our wing and took the wing off.

The individual, whose travel plans from Gibraltar to Marbella were disrupted, expressed shock at being so close to another aircraft during taxiing operations.

Manchester Airport officials immediately suspended all flights whilst safety assessments were conducted on both damaged jets. The temporary closure affected departures and arrivals during the busy morning rush, with operations resuming shortly after initial inspections confirmed only minor damage.

An easyJet spokesperson confirmed: “EasyJet can confirm that the wing tips of two aircraft came into contact whilst taxiing to the runway at Manchester Airport this morning. The aircraft returned to stand to disembark customers who have been provided with refreshment vouchers whilst replacement aircraft are arranged to operate the flights.”

The airline emphasised that passenger safety remained their “highest priority” and apologised to affected customers for the delays to their journeys.

Both aircraft were towed back to their stands where passengers disembarked safely. No injuries were reported amongst passengers or crew members on either flight.

The incident has triggered an immediate investigation by airport authorities and easyJet to determine how the two jets came to be positioned so closely during ground movements. Questions are being raised about taxiway procedures and why adequate separation was not maintained between the aircraft.

Replacement aircraft were being arranged for both affected flights, with the Gibraltar service designated as flight EZY2267 and the Paris service as flight EZY2117. Passengers were provided with refreshment vouchers whilst awaiting alternative arrangements.

The collision caused a ripple effect of delays throughout the morning schedule at Manchester Airport, which handles over 28 million passengers annually. Travellers were warned to expect continued disruptions as the airport worked to clear the backlog of delayed flights.

Aviation safety experts noted that whilst ground collisions between aircraft are relatively rare, they can cause significant operational challenges and costly repairs. Wing tip damage, whilst appearing minor, requires thorough inspection to ensure structural integrity before aircraft can return to service.

The incident comes during the peak summer holiday season when Manchester Airport typically operates at near capacity. The timing could not have been worse for families heading off on their summer breaks, with many facing hours of unexpected delays.

Manchester Airport, which serves as a major hub for northern England and handles flights to over 200 destinations worldwide, has experienced rapid growth in recent years. The incident raises questions about ground handling procedures during busy periods.

EasyJet operates a significant presence at Manchester Airport, with the budget carrier using it as one of its key UK bases outside of London. The airline’s fleet consists entirely of Airbus A320 family aircraft, known for their reliability and efficiency.

As investigations continue, both damaged aircraft will undergo comprehensive engineering checks before returning to service. The Civil Aviation Authority is expected to review the incident as part of its ongoing safety oversight responsibilities.

Passengers affected by today’s delays are entitled to compensation under European regulations if their flights are delayed by more than three hours, though mechanical issues and safety checks are generally considered extraordinary circumstances.

The incident serves as a reminder of the complex choreography required to safely manage aircraft movements at busy airports, where dozens of jets navigate taxiways simultaneously during peak periods.

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