Birmingham Airport Evacuated Due to Bomb Scare: Flights Delayed and Cancelled

Birmingham Airport, the seventh largest airport in the UK, was evacuated on Wednesday afternoon following a bomb scare that led to significant disruptions in flight operations. The incident began around 12:20 BST when reports of a suspicious vehicle parked near the airport terminal prompted West Midlands Police to take immediate action.

Passengers were ordered to leave the airport, and a cordon was set up as bomb disposal experts from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team rushed to inspect the vehicle. The evacuation resulted in flights being delayed and at least one flight being cancelled. Flights to destinations such as Paris, Madrid, and Tenerife were among those affected.

Many passengers expressed frustration as they were left waiting on planes for hours or forced to wait on the tarmac. Social media posts from passengers highlighted the lack of communication during the incident, with one passenger stating, “I am stuck on a plane, claustrophobic, pleading to get off. How long is this situation going to take?”.

After a thorough search, the EOD team deemed the vehicle safe, and it was no longer treated as suspicious. West Midlands Police confirmed that the safety and security of everyone at the airport was the primary concern, and the evacuation was a precautionary measure.

The airport gradually returned to normal operations, with passengers advised to check their flight statuses with their airlines. The majority of flights that were held on the ground have since departed, and the airport apologized for the inconvenience caused to passengers.

This incident marks the second time this year that Birmingham Airport has been evacuated due to a security alert. In mid-April, the airport was closed after an unidentified package was found on an Aer Lingus flight from Belfast.