Passengers were stuck in a queue of planes for hours at Manchester Airport today after a flight broke down. Customers on board Cathay Pacific, TUI and Brussels flights were sat on the taxiway for hours before their flights were later cancelled and they disembarked.
The Manchester Evening News understands delays were caused after a Cathay Pacific flight suffered a malfunction on its approach to the runway. Behind it was a Brussels airlines flight to Brussels and a TUI flight to Cape Verde.
Passengers took to Twitter to complain they had been sat on their aircraft for as many as four hours before they were later disembarked and the flights were cancelled. It is understood that the Brussels airlines and TUI flights were stuck behind the Cathay Pacific plane and had no way of moving.
Simon Lowe Aviation streamed the shots of the Cathay Pacific flight on the taxiway to his Youtube channel on Thursday and throughout the afternoon, before the aircraft was moved by the evening.
It comes as the airport reportedly saw 'congestion and delays' due to 'ice and freezing temperatures' on Thursday. It is not known what caused the fault with the Cathay Pacific flight, but the airline has been contacted for comment.
Passengers were also left disappointed over the weekend after flights were halted at the airport due to the snow. Both runways at the airport were temporarily closed to remove snow and slush from the ground, meaning that both inbound and outbound flights were disrupted, with some cancelled while others were delayed.
A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: “We are aware of a technical fault affecting a Cathay Pacific aircraft this afternoon, which has also resulted in two other departing aircraft being unable to access the runway, causing the cancellation of these flights.
“We regret the inconvenience this has caused to affected passengers and are working closely with the airlines involved to provide assistance to passengers and support with onward travel arrangements.”
Elsewhere on Thursday, another TUI flight to Egypt was also cancelled overnight due to a 'minor technical fault' at Manchester Airport, which resulted in the flight crew reaching their 'maximum legal working hours'.
A TUI spokesperson said: "We’re really sorry to customers on flight TOM718 who have unfortunately been delayed overnight. This is due to a combination of weather conditions, congestion at Manchester Airport and a minor technical issue, which resulted in the flight crew reaching their maximum legal working hours.
"Our teams have been in contact with customers throughout, and provided them with transfers and overnight accommodation. Unfortunately, due to staff shortages with the third party baggage handlers at Manchester Airport, customers’ luggage will remain on the aircraft overnight.
"We understand how frustrating this is and, while these are circumstances outside of our control, our teams are working as hard as possible to get these customers away on holidays as soon as possible."
Brussels Airlines and Cathay Pacific have been approached for further details from the Manchester Evening News.
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