Airport chaos returns as wings clipped at Manchester, all flights halted

(MANCHESTER) Manchester Airport temporarily stopped all departures on the morning of August 15, 2025, after two EasyJet Airbus A320s made contact while taxiing at Terminal 1, causing a major but short-lived disruption for thousands of travelers. The incident, reported at about 6:30 a.m. BST, involved EasyJet flights EZY2267 (bound for Gibraltar) and EZY2117 (bound for Paris Charles de Gaulle). Both aircraft touched at their wing tips, triggering an immediate emergency response and a safety pause across parts of the airfield.

Airport fire crews and ground teams reached the scene quickly. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew, according to officials. The two aircraft were escorted back to their stands for inspection, and all passengers were safely disembarked.

As a safety measure, flight operations were halted for departing flights between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., a pause that caused wider delays during the morning peak. According to FlightRadar, average departure delays reached 48 minutes during the disruption.

By late morning, the airport had cleared the taxiway and normal operations resumed, with residual delays easing through the day. Manchester Airport praised the swift response by emergency services and ground staff and noted that routine safety steps worked as intended. The airport is operating as usual, though travelers were urged to check their flight status and allow extra time.

Morning collision and rapid response

EasyJet confirmed the event and apologized for delays. The airline said it launched an internal review and stressed that passenger and crew safety remains its highest priority.

The carrier provided refreshment vouchers and began arranging replacement aircraft for affected customers as engineers examined the planes involved. According to passenger accounts shared with local media, the contact felt like a “massive hit,” but the cabin crews kept people calm, and emergency teams arrived fast.

Airport procedures in ground-contact events follow a standard sequence:

1. Stop movements in the affected area.
2. Assess for damage and potential fuel leaks.
3. Return aircraft to stands for inspection and disembarkation.
4. Clear the taxiway once it is safe to resume operations.

That sequence played out here. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been formally notified and opened a standard inquiry focused on taxiway operations, spacing between aircraft, and ground crew coordination. The AAIB will review:

• Flight deck communications.
• Ground control instructions.
• Marshalling procedures.
• Ramp operations and pushback clearances.

For official updates on the inquiry, the AAIB’s site provides notices and final reports at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/air-accidents-investigation-branch. While there are no immediate new policy changes tied to this event, the AAIB’s findings could lead to safety recommendations in the months ahead.

Industry analysis (e.g., VisaVerge.com) suggests events of this kind typically lead to procedural reviews rather than long-term schedule changes, a view echoed by industry analysts cited in early briefings.

Impact on travelers and practical steps

For those booked on the affected flights, the practical effects were clear: delays, aircraft inspections, and rebooking where needed. EasyJet directed customers to the airline’s app and counters for new travel options.

Key points for passengers caught in the disruption:

• Keep your boarding pass and any receipts for refreshments the airline did not cover.
• Monitor the airline’s app or website for the latest departure time and gate.
• If you have a connection, contact the airline as soon as possible to discuss rebooking.
• If you need special help (e.g., wheelchair support or travelling with children), notify airline staff at the gate or customer service desk.

EasyJet began moving people to other flights once inspections started and prepared replacement aircraft to help clear backlogs. Travelers reported receiving refreshment vouchers at the terminal while they waited for updates. The airline emphasized that safety comes first, even when it causes short-term delays.

Broader context and likely outcomes

Ground contact between aircraft is rare but can occur in tight taxiway spaces during busy morning waves. Quick coordination between pilots, ground control, and ramp crews is the main safeguard.

In this case:

• The lack of injuries, the prompt stop of departures, and the orderly handling of passengers suggest established emergency steps worked as designed.
• Industry observers say this event is unlikely to cause long-term changes to Manchester Airport’s daily operations.
• However, it may prompt closer review of peak-hour taxi routes, hold points, and pushback spacing.
• EasyJet may refresh ground crew briefings and monitor taxi procedures closely while the AAIB review is underway.

The AAIB’s investigation will typically examine:

• The path and timing of each aircraft on the taxiway.
• Flight deck and tower communications.
• Ramp guidance, including marshalling and pushback clearances.
• Any environmental factors on the morning of August 15, 2025 (such as lighting or congestion).
• How passengers were handled after the event.

These steps help the agency decide whether procedures need updates or extra training. While the AAIB does not apportion blame, its reports often include safety recommendations for airlines, airports, or regulators.

Advice for affected travelers and planners

The knock-on effects can extend beyond the airfield. Some passengers on morning departures may have had same-day appointments, onward trains, or hotel check-ins abroad.

Practical suggestions:

• If you hold a time-sensitive appointment (visa appointment, permit pick-up), keep proof of disruption from the airline to explain late arrival.
• Save airline contact numbers to your phone and ensure you can access your booking online.
• Keep medicines, baby items, and chargers in your carry-on rather than checked baggage in case of delays.
• Allow extra time at security and monitor gates closely throughout the day.

Current status and next steps

As of the afternoon of August 15, 2025, Manchester Airport reported routine service. The AAIB inquiry continues, and EasyJet’s internal review is underway.

Officials thanked passengers for their patience and credited emergency and ramp crews for clearing the taxiway safely and restoring the flow of traffic. For now, the focus rests on learning from the event so that future peak hours at Manchester Airport run with even wider safety buffers while keeping people moving.

Key takeaway: The pattern seen today—quick stop, careful checks, steady restart—shows how the system is built to keep risks low when surprises happen on the ground.