Loaded Airliner Settles Onto Tarmac

Well, this certainly doesn't help matters. Ireland's City of Derry Airport -- already working to regain credibility, after a forced closure earlier this year over safety concerns -- was the scene of an embarassing incident Wednesday night.

The Belfast Telegraph reports an inbound First Choice charter flight to the airport was redirected after landing to a remote taxiway, in order to free up room for two other planes. A spokeswoman for the Derry City Council, which owns the airport, said diverting the Airbus A320 onto a vacant taxiway was "normal practice" -- but what happened next wasn't SOP.

"Passengers onboard the flight were subsequently transported by bus to the arrivals area," she said. "While the aircraft was stationary, it settled into the tarmac for a time and was subsequently maneuvered to the main area of the airport to allow passengers to board the outbound flight to Salou/Reus, which departed at 17:36."

As ANN reported, the airport was closed for four days in May by the Civil Aviation Authority due to safety concerns.

The CAA, the UK's aviation regulator, provisionally suspended the City of Derry's license May 24 as the result of safety concerns that developed during an inspection --including lack of an effective bird control plan, unsuitable temporary repairs to an aircraft parking area and poor runway drainage.

Somewhat oddly, the sinking incident occurred as the Airport Committee met with managers in City of Derry, to select a new airport manager to replace the ousted Seamus Devine -- who was suspended in the wake of the closure.

FMI: www.cityofderryairport.com, www.caa.co.uk