An Aer Lingus aircraft aborted a landing at Kennedy Airport in New York yesterday afternoon when a small plane was seen on the runway.
The A330 Airbus was arriving from Dublin with a full passenger complement, including the former Taoiseach, Dr Garret FitzGerald, and the Irish soccer team coach, Mick McCarthy. As it made its approach, the pilot, realising the smaller plane had not cleared the runway, had to raise the undercarriage and ascend rapidly. One passenger said he was forced back into his seat by the force of the ascent.
The aircraft made a circuit of the airport and landed normally. Aer Lingus said there was no risk to passengers.