Birmingham airport reopens after suspicious vehicle prompts evacuation | Birmingham

Birmingham airport is “returning to regular” after flights had been grounded and the location evacuated whereas police responded to experiences of a suspicious automobile.

In an announcement, the airport stated: “Following a police investigation, operations at the moment are returning to regular. While we apologise for any inconvenience and disruption, the protection and safety of everybody on the airport was our No 1 precedence as we labored by this incident with police companions.”

West Midlands police stated the airport was “partially evacuated” so a automobile might be searched and assessed. “Following a search by the explosive ordnance disposal staff the automobile was deemed to be secure. The automobile is now not being handled as suspicious. The security of all was our main concern and there’s no wider danger to the general public,” the pressure stated.

“The airport has resumed regular enterprise with minimal disruption. We want to thank the general public for his or her endurance and help whereas we handled this incident.”

Earlier on Wednesday the airport had stated its operations had been affected and suggested all passengers to remain away. Passengers reported being escorted outdoors the airport constructing to the close by Nationwide Exhibition Centre (NEC).

Crowds of individuals, many with suitcases, discovered themselves behind police tape as they had been moved away from the scene.

West Midlands hearth service stated it had crews on standby on the airport, whereas groups from West Midlands ambulance service had been additionally in attendance “as a precautionary measure as police take care of experiences of a suspicious automobile”.

The airport later stated passengers may return to the airport, advising them to examine the most recent flight data earlier than travelling.

The departures board confirmed plenty of flights scheduled to take off on Wednesday had been delayed by greater than two hours whereas the airport was evacuated. Different passengers reported being caught on planes on the airport runway after touchdown.

After the most recent announcement, passengers stated they had been being slowly allowed again into the airport constructing, however additional disruption was anticipated for plenty of hours.