EasyJet plane grounded as crews scramble after 'collision' at Manchester Airport

Emergency services were dispatched to a plane full of holidaymakers on an easyJet flight as the aircraft was preparing to leave Manchester Airport.

The flight was preparing to leave Terminal 1for Lanzarote as the incident unfolded on Saturday morning (September 13).

The incident appears to have been sparked by a problem with the aircraft tug - a vehicle that moves planes on the ground as they do not have a reverse gear. The tug vehicle reportedly made contact with the front wheels of the plane, triggering an emergency responsefrom on-site rescue crews.

Passengers travelling on flight EZY 2029 were reportedly forced to disembark the aircraft to allow safety checks to be carried out, although EasyJet later confirmed that there was not an evacuation of the aircraft.

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Other flights have not been impacted by the operation, which saw one boarding gate at the airport put out of action, Manchester Airport confirmed.

Images shared on social media show several emergency service vehicles on the tarmac in a snap taken from the Terminal 1 building. It is understood that is standard procedure.

An easyJet spokesperson said: "Flight EZY2029 from Manchester to Lanzarote this morning has been delayed departing after the tug came into contact with the aircraft during pushback from the terminal.

"Emergency services attended the aircraft as a precautionary and routine measure only. Passengers disembarked and returned to the terminal where we are providing refreshments while we arrange for an alternative aircraft to operate the flight this afternoon."

“Safety is our highest priority and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused by the delay.”