Returning holidaymakers rerouted to Glasgow because of high winds
Holidaymakers returning to the Capital were yesterday rerouted to Glasgow this morning as their pilot struggled to land in high winds.
The Easyjet flight from Cyprus tried two aborted landings on Edinburgh Airport’s reserve runway – currently being used while the main strip is repaired.
Crew and 181 passengers eventually touched down 50 miles away and more than 30 minutes later than scheduled at just after 2:45am.
“There was a go around reported to Glasgow,” said an Edinburgh Airport spokesman. “But with the wind a number of planes landed. We’re using the contingency runway while doing running repairs. There were tailwinds the pilot didn’t like so he tried twice but he didn’t like it so it was diverted to Glasgow.”
Easyjet bosses blamed a shortage of buses and taxis at Glasgow for passengers having to find their own way back to Edinburgh – but pledged to reimburse them.
Meteorologists are predicting hurricane-strength winds of up to 80mph for parts of the UK today as Storm Ophelia blows in from the Atlantic.
But airport bosses expect no major disruption to flights to and from Edinburgh. The Easyjet diversion happened during the second of three weekends that flights in and out of Edinburgh are using the airport’s secondary runway as the main one undergoes maintenance work.
Chief executive of Edinburgh Airport Gordon Dewar said: “The runway is our most prized asset and we have to make sure that it is fit for use, which is why we continue to invest in our facilities and carry out essential repairs.”
An Easyjet spokesman said: “We can confirm that flight Ezy 6946 from pap hos to edinburgh on Saturday 14 October, was diverted to Glasgow due to high winds at Edinburgh. Our ground staff worked hard to offer transport options to our passengers. Unfortunately coach and taxi availability in Glasgow was limited and so passengers were advised that anyone who made their own arrangements to reach Edinburgh will be reimbursed for these costs.”