An incident involving a Virgin Atlantic and a British Airways aircraft at Heathrow has prompted an inquiry. The collision occurred whilst the Virgin Atlantic aircraft was being towed, leading to minor damages.
While the incident caused no injuries, it resulted in operational disruptions, affecting passengers outbound to Accra, Ghana. Both airlines are now focusing on safety assessments and the continuation of services.
In a rare incident at Heathrow airport, a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 collided with a British Airways Airbus A350 during a towing operation. The incident caused minor damage to both aircraft. According to reports, the Virgin Atlantic aircraft was without passengers at the time.
The collision occurred as the Virgin Atlantic aircraft was being towed from a stand at Terminal 3. Although minor, the damage necessitated maintenance checks on both planes.
British Airways’ scheduled flight to Accra in Ghana faced disruptions as a result of the incident. Passengers on board the Airbus A350 were transferred to an alternative aircraft, resulting in a delayed departure at 6pm.
Video footage circulating on social media depicted the aftermath on the tarmac, showing emergency services and ground crew attending to the situation.
Virgin Atlantic’s spokesperson confirmed the investigation and reiterated that safety remains paramount. The company assured that a comprehensive review was underway.
Additionally, British Airways informed Sky News that their engineers were evaluating the damage and an alternate aircraft was provided to mitigate customer inconvenience.
The companies sought to reassure travellers that all safety protocols were being rigorously followed after the incident. Meanwhile, passengers expressed concerns on social media regarding the unexpected delay.
The incident was unrelated to the adverse weather caused by Storm Kathleen, which had affected UK transport over the weekend. By Sunday, the storm had resulted in the cancellation of 140 flights from UK airports.
The Met Office issued warnings for strong winds across parts of England and Wales, anticipating further disruption. Conditions at Heathrow during the incident were reportedly normal.
The operational impact of the incident at Heathrow is under review. Virgin Atlantic’s aircraft will remain out of service until safety clearance is granted post-maintenance checks.
This incident underscores the significance of thorough safety checks in aviation operations and the potential disruptions that can arise from ground handling mishaps. It highlights the interconnectedness of various service providers within airport operations.
The investigation into the collision at Heathrow underscores the aviation industry’s commitment to safety. As both airlines collaborate on resolutions, the focus remains on ensuring minimal disruption to passengers.
Ultimately, this incident provides a vital opportunity for all involved parties to examine operational protocols, aiming to prevent future occurrences.
