J3775 : G-POWC, Belfast City Airport (February 2017)
taken 8 years ago, 4 km ENE of Belfast, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland

The circumstances leading to this unusual sight (the usual aircraft is a much-smaller Let Turbolet J3775 : OK-ASA, George Best Belfast City Airport (November 2015)) are described as: Manx Radio “Flights in and out of Ronaldsway Airport were halted for more than two hours today (Thursday) after the weather played havoc with schedules. Severe gale force winds led to a number of delays and cancellations. Meanwhile, a Citywing plane destined for Belfast took off but had to turn back and remained on the runway as airport fire engines shielded the aircraft. The three passengers on board were safely taken back to the terminal by bus”.
Official Citywing statement: “23rd February 2017
STATEMENT ON INCIDENT ON THE 23rd OF FEBRUARY AND FLIGHT UPDATES FOR THE 24th OF FEBRUARY
Citywing can confirm that Van Air-operated flight 502 took off from the Isle of Man destined for Belfast on Thursday morning but returned due to deteriorating weather conditions in Northern Ireland.
Citywing have been advised by Van Air that the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has requested to speak with Van Air following the incident. Until such discussions take place, hopefully within the next 24-48 hours, the UK CAA has asked Van Air to stop flying. Unfortunately this means that all Citywing flights will be affected until further notice.
David Buck, Managing Director of Citywing said, “Passenger safety has to be the first priority and all such incidents are rightly investigated as a matter of routine. We are working with the flight operator Van Air and relevant authorities to resolve the situation as soon as possible.
Due to this operational disruption Van Air has chartered in a Stansted based Titan Airways 737 to operate the following flights.
V9514 IOM-BELFAST STD1400 STA1430 to accommodate all Isle of Man to Belfast passengers for the day.
V9515 BELFAST-IOM STD1510 STA1540 to accommodate all Belfast to Isle of Man passengers for the day.
V9814 IOM-NEWCASTLE STD1620 STA1655 to accommodate all Isle of Man to Newcastle, Isle of Man to Glasgow and all Isle of Man to Blackpool passengers. Passengers for Glasgow and Blackpool will be provided with surface transport to their destination.” See also J3775 : OY-NPE, Belfast City Airport (February 2017). Continue to J3776 : G-POWC, Belfast City Airport - February 2017(2).
The official report, into the causes of the incident, is available here (PDF) Link

Originally opened in 1937 when it was built as part of the Short Brothers and Harland Limited aircraft factory. The present airport opened to scheduled passenger flights in 1983 as Belfast Harbour Airport. The terminal buildings were temporary ones – later extended and improved. The present terminal, close to the Sydenham bypass, opened in 2001.
Aer Lingus operates to London Heathrow.
British Airways to London Heathrow.
Flybe to Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Exeter and Newquay, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds/Bradford, Liverpool, London City, Manchester, Doncaster/Sheffield and Southampton.
KLM to Amsterdam.
Loganair to Carlisle.
The airport is also used by a variety of operators for business and medical flights.
This link is to the official City Airport website Link.
To search this shared description for a particular registration go to here Link
The photographs submitted by me appear as a matter of neutral record only. I appreciate that many find the airport’s presence unacceptable. I have no connection with the airport or any group opposed to it.
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