Major Incident at Cardiff Airport caused by unresponsive plane

RAF Typhoon overflies the runway after escorting D-BTLT into Cardiff Airport (Credit Ian Grinter)
RAF Typhoon overflies the runway after escorting D-BTLT into Cardiff Airport (Credit Ian Grinter)

RAF Typhoons escort aircaft over South Wales (HattonWillow/Twitter)
RAF Typhoons escort aircaft over South Wales (HattonWillow/Twitter)

A Major Incident took place at Cardiff Airport today due to a civilian aircraft that was unable to communicate with Air Traffic Control.

The RAF confirmed that it had scrambled to RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) aircraft to intercept an “unresponsive” aircraft.

The Aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 300 (CL30 D-BTLT), was escorted to Cardiff Wales Airport (CWL/EGFF) prompting a major incident and causing the Airport and surrounding roads to be closed for a short period.

A Cardiff Airport spokesperson said “A private jet travelling across UK airspace temporarily lost radio contact this afternoon. As a precautionary measure the aircraft was escorted into Cardiff Airport as a safe place to land. The team at the Airport responded quickly, working closely with the emergency services and the RAF to facilitate the safe arrival of the aircraft.”

Despite being closed for a short time Cardiff Airport is now open and operating normally.

This video by Jac Osborne captures the moment the Challenger lands at Cardiff Airport.

RAF Typhoon overflies the runway after escorting D-BTLT into Cardiff Airport (Credit Ian Grinter)
RAF Typhoon flying along the runway after escorting D-BTLT into Cardiff Airport (Credit Ian Grinter)

Live Updates

Live updates ended at 17:39

(please note twitter feeds do not imply accurate information or endorsement from Aviation Wales)

17:20 Aircraft was a Challenger 300 Corporate Jet which was unable to communicate with ATC. Tweet from FlightAlerts777:

17:13 Cardiff Airport appears to have re-opened

17:09 RAF Confirm that 2 QRA Fighter Jets were scrambled from RAF Conningsby to intercept “unresponsive” civilian aircraft.

17:03 Early reports suggest a private jet which had lost communications, or was not communicating with ATC was escorted into Cardiff Airport by Royal Air Force Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoons.

17:00 Reports of miltary aircraft in the area. Twitter user MsHarris79 tweeted:

16:55 Port Road near the airport is closed.

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