Unresponsive Plane causes Major Incident at Cardiff Airport

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

08/04/2016 Cardiff Airport News, News 2 minute read
Written by: UK Aviation News

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 two 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.