Manchester Airport flights delayed ‘due to hole in the runway’

Manchester Airport is suffering widespread delays due to a “hole in the runway”, according to reports.

Disruption on one of the runways lasted around two hours after a hole appeared, Aviation News UK reported in a post on X, adding that “high delays” were being reported with delays expected to last until the evening.

Three Manchester-bound flights, from Antalya, Lisa and Rhodes, were diverted to Liverpool as a result of the disruption, it reported.

“The runway has since reopened, but knock-on delays remain at Manchester,” the outlet said. “This follows a separate reported hole at the Delta Zulu crossing point on 31 August, when the runway was also affected for many hours.”

The Delta Zulu crossing point is a runway intersection at Manchester Airport.

Travel service Inrix added, according to the Manchester Evening News: “Flights to and from Manchester Airport are currently delayed due to the hole in the runway. Real time data indicate flights that are currently due to depart from the Airport are delayed on average by fifty minutes. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights before they travel to the Airport.”

An airport spokesperson told The Independent: “One of our runways closed for a short period today to allow routine maintenance to take place.”

One person said on X: “My thoughts are with everyone stranded at the s*** hole from hell, Manchester airport due to a hole in the runway.

Of transport minister Heidi Alexander, he added: “Don’t expect her to help you.”

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