Flights temporarily grounded by 'suspicious vehicle' at Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport in central England was evacuated as a precautionary measure after a report of a suspicious vehicle, police said on Wednesday.

Travellers had to leave the terminal and passengers remained on aircraft, while motorists were turned away and rail services were cancelled.

Birmingham Airport, about 21km east of Birmingham, Britain's second-largest city, said on X that it had suspended operations. An airport official said operations were returning to normal by about 3.30pm.

Flights to Dubai, Qatar, Turkey and Egypt were all delayed on Wednesday afternoon.

West Midlands Police said the evacuation was a "precautionary measure" while the vehicle was searched and assessed. "Following a search by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EDO) team the vehicle was deemed to be safe. The vehicle is no longer being treated as suspicious," it said.

Birmingham Airport is the UK's seventh-busiest hub with flights to destinations including Egypt, Dublin, Amsterdam, Palma and Tenerife. It is used by airlines including easyJet, Ryanair TUI Airways and Jet2.com.

Passengers with luggage left the airport on foot, with some of them being taken to the nearby National Exhibition Centre.

All flights were suspended for several hours and travellers were told to contact their airline and check for delays.

Passengers on social media described being struck on the tarmac and not being allowed to disembark.

“Sat on a plane in the airport – been here an hour already,” one user said.

Another said: “My mum is stuck on a plane on the runway in Birmingham on return from Spain. No one is allowed off the plane.”

West Midlands Fire Service has officers at the airport who are “working closely with police, ambulance and airport staff”.

Bus services are unable to stop at terminals or the international station, National Express West Midlands said.