Damaged plane blocks runway at Melbourne Airport – causing major delays for travellers
Australia’s second busiest airport has been thrown into chaos after a plane aborted take-off on a runway, causing flight disruptions.
Melbourne Airport had to operate with one runway on Monday as crews worked urgently to repair the damaged plane.
The Etihad Airways plane was en route to Abu Dhabi with just under 300 people on board when it had to abort its departure on Sunday ‘for technical reasons’.
Flight EY461 applied the emergency brakes while flying at 186 mph, just before taking to the air at 6:15 p.m.
A Melbourne Airport spokesperson said the Aviation Rescue and Firefighting Service had been called and deployed firefighting foam as a precaution.
Due to the damage to the aircraft’s tires, the aircraft remained on the runway the next day and repairs were currently being made.
It means Melbourne Airport will have just one runway which will be used for all arrivals and departures – on the day many Australians return to work after Christmas.
A damaged plane (pictured) that aborted take-off at Australia’s second-busiest airport remains on the runway, causing flight disruptions
Nearly 300 passengers were on board the plane bound for Abu Dhabi when the flight had to abort its take-off
“While there have been no cancellations at this stage, there have been disruptions to some flights,” a Melbourne Airport spokesperson told AAP.
“Some flights have departed with less fuel and will have to refuel en route to their final destination.”
Daily Mail Australia contacted Etihad for comment.