Operations have resumed at Birmingham Airport (BHX) after the site was evacuated this afternoon (Oct. 23) while police investigated a suspicious vehicle. Emergency services were notified of the vehicle shortly after 12:20 p.m. BST. The airport suspended operations, grounded flights and advised passengers to stay away.
West Midlands Police and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squad searched and assessed the vehicle to ensure “the safety of all”. The West Midlands Fire and Ambulance Services also attended the scene as a “precautionary measure”.
Evacuated passengers and their luggage were held behind police tape and taken to the nearby National Exhibition Centre (NEC). Passengers complained on social media of claustrophobia on grounded flights and a lack of updates from airlines. Significant traffic disruption was also reported in the area.
A police statement issued at 4 p.m. confirmed that the vehicle was no longer being treated as suspicious, but provided no further details on the vehicle.
Birmingham Airport also published a statement, advising passengers travelling today to check the latest flight information and to arrive in time for check-in, adding:
Whilst we apologise for any inconvenience and disruption, the safety and security of everyone at the airport was our number one priority as we worked through this incident with Police partners.
Birmingham Airport, West Midlands, U.K.
About Birmingham Airport
Birmingham’s two-terminal airport is the UK’s third-largest outside of London, processing approximately 11.5 million passengers in 2023. The airport boasts the highest proportion of business travellers after London Heathrow, with business passengers comprising 11% of its traffic.
Birmingham Airport serves over 130 direct routes and 450 one-stop routes, including full service and low-cost airlines.
In June, easyJet celebrated 5 million passengers travelling to and from Birmingham Airport.
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Aviation Reporter - Currently based in London, Natasha is passionate about travel and culture. She looks forward to learning about the aviation industry and sharing her interest in current affairs with Travel Radar’s readers.
