Galway Airport was closed for almost four hours yesterday after an aircraft went off the runway as it prepared for departure. There were 31 passengers on board the 10.40 a.m. Aer Arann flight to Luton when the incident happened.
The left wheel of the aircraft went off the tarmac into the grass margin. It was not travelling fast as it was making its way to the end of the runway before turning.
Passengers were taken by bus to Knock Airport where they made their flight to Luton several hours behind schedule. They said that at no stage did they feel in danger. "We were asked to leave the plane. It was obvious something had happened as we just stopped shortly after moving away from the terminal," said a passenger.
A spokesperson for Aer Arann said they would check the circumstances which led to the incident.