AN AER LINGUS transatlantic flight has returned to Dublin Airport this afternoon after “significant damage” to runway lights was discovered after the jet had departed.
Aer Lingus flight EI-141 departed Dublin at around 3.20pm bound for Miami. There were 226 passengers and crew on board.
The Airbus A330-200 jet was about 15 minutes into its journey when the crew was contacted by air traffic controllers.
The crew was advised that “significant damage to runway lights” had been discovered at Dublin Airport while there was also evidence of a runway excursion.
Ground crews at Dublin reported finding tyre tracks in the grass adjacent to the runway. A runway excursion is when an aircraft or its undercarriage departs from the paved surface of a runway.
After being advised of the damage discovered at Dublin, the crew of flight 141 made contact with Aer Lingus’ operations centre to seek advice.
In the meantime the flight continued its journey for over 300 kilometres over the Atlantic before the crew opted to turn around and return to Dublin so that an inspection of the aircraft could be carried out.
The aircraft landed safely at Dublin at 5:35pm.
An Aer Lingus spokeswoman said:
Aer Lingus flight EI141 departed Dublin this afternoon at 3.17pm en route to Miami. The flight returned to base at Dublin Airport in order for a precautionary inspection of the aircraft to be carried out.
It’s not yet clear whether the flight will continue to Miami this evening.
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