EasyJet passengers evacuated at Manchester after tug collision

(MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM) EasyJet passengers bound for Lanzarote were evacuated after a ground tug struck the aircraft’s front landing gear during pushback at Manchester Airport on the morning of September 13, 2025. The pushback collision involving flight EZY 2029 at Terminal 1 prompted an immediate response from emergency services, including the airport fire brigade.

All passengers disembarked safely and returned to the terminal, and no injuries were reported. The affected aircraft remains grounded for inspection, while EasyJet arranged a replacement aircraft to operate the service later the same day.

Immediate response and passenger care

The airline said passenger safety is its top priority and apologized for the disruption. Airport officials coordinated the on-stand response and closed the gate temporarily for checks. Other airport operations continued with only minor ripple effects, according to officials familiar with the handling of the event.

Passengers received refreshments and updates inside the terminal, with staff confirming that the replacement departure would run as soon as the investigation allowed.

Aviation safety procedures were activated the moment the tug contacted the nose gear. The flight crew halted operations, and emergency teams assessed the aircraft before allowing passengers to move back into the terminal.

As of the afternoon on September 13, the original airframe was undergoing a detailed examination, and the ground handling contractor’s actions were subject to a review of procedures and training standards.

The focus now is to determine why the tug made contact during pushback, a critical phase when clear communication between the cockpit, headset operator, and tug driver is essential.

EasyJet and Manchester Airport have each highlighted their commitment to robust safety systems and rapid incident response, with both organizations working jointly on next steps.

Passenger care, compensation, and border implications

For travelers—especially families and workers with tight schedules—the immediate concerns were when will we leave? and what help can we get?

Under UK and EU-style rules still applied in domestic law, airlines must provide care during delays. This typically includes:

• Refreshments
• Communication (regular updates)
• Accommodation if required by the length of the delay

Compensation depends on the cause and total delay length. Mechanical or operational issues within airline control may qualify; strict safety-related circumstances can make entitlement more complex. Passengers can learn more through the official guidance: https://www.gov.uk/flight-delays-compensation.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, most cases like a tug strike trigger a duty of care quickly, since airlines can issue vouchers and provide updates while inspections proceed. Cash compensation is assessed later, once cause and total delay are clear.

EasyJet told passengers that a replacement aircraft would run the route later on September 13, which, if achieved, would limit delay length and reduce overnight disruption.

Immigration and documentation advice

For non-UK nationals affected by late-night delays, immigration timing can come into play:

• If an overnight stay requires entering the UK for a hotel, passengers go through normal border checks and are usually admitted as short-stay visitors if they had the right to board.
• Travelers with onward connections or visa time limits should retain:
  • Boarding passes
  • Delay notices
  • Hotel or meal vouchers

These documents help explain missed connections or later entry dates at the next border.

Parents and passengers with reduced mobility should expect priority support:

• Parents: priority access to water, snacks, seating, and assistance.
• Disabled/reduced mobility: contact airline or airport staff immediately to ensure re-boarding support.

Operational and safety review

Manchester Airport’s procedures call for:

• Quick scene control
• Aircraft power-down as needed
• Engineering inspection after any ground contact with critical parts

A tug strike on the nose gear demands special attention because the nose wheels interact with towbar or towbarless systems during pushback. Investigators will examine:

• Radio calls and headset communication
• Hand signals and visual cues
• Tug speed and line-of-sight around the aircraft
• Weather conditions, ramp congestion, and equipment condition
• Tug maintenance logs, training records, and supervisor notes

The ground handling contractor is under review for training, certification, and supervision standards.

Aviation safety experts stress a “sterile” ramp environment during movement—no distractions, clear walk paths, and a defined chain of command linking the cockpit, headset operator, and tug.

While rare, such incidents can act as a stress test for safety culture. Industry analysts expect:

1. Refreshing parts of ground safety briefings
2. Continued regular ramp audits
3. Coordination with handlers on any retraining
4. Possible extension of reviews to other UK airports if patterns emerge

For passengers, the practical consequence is simple: more checks mean safer ground operations, but also the possibility of extra minutes at the gate as crews follow procedures.

Passenger experience and next steps

Several travelers expressed frustration about the setback but praised the crew’s clear announcements and the speed of the emergency response. Airport managers noted that surrounding departures kept moving, helping limit knock-on delays across the schedule.

Still, some customers faced rebookings and late arrivals at holiday hotels, a reminder that even a small ramp error can ripple through family plans and work trips.

Practical advice for affected passengers:

• Keep receipts for reasonable expenses if airline-provided care doesn’t cover everything.
• Monitor official EasyJet channels for rebooking options and updates on compensation once the investigation concludes.
• If baggage was checked and later offloaded during the aircraft switch, keep the new tags and track updates at the desk.
• For onward immigration queries (e.g., connecting from Spain to another Schengen country), carry proof of delay such as airline letters, boarding passes, and email alerts—border officers often accept these as evidence.

As the day progressed, EasyJet prepared the replacement aircraft and worked to get everyone to Lanzarote. The original aircraft will remain grounded until engineers confirm structural integrity and systems health—especially around:

• Steering components
• Sensors
• Nose gear assembly

Findings could lead to updates in marshalling practices, headset protocols, or tug positioning rules during pushback.

In the meantime, Manchester Airport and EasyJet continue to communicate with passengers. The airline apologized again for the delay and reinforced that safety comes first. The focus remains: get people moving again, care for those waiting, and make the ramp safer for the next flight out.