In a dramatic turn of events, an Aer Lingus Regional flight bound for Belfast was forced to return to Birmingham Airport shortly after takeoff due to the discovery of a suspicious device on board. The incident involved flight EAG47S, which issued an emergency squawk 7700, signalling an urgent situation to air traffic controllers.

Aircraft and Flight Details The aircraft, an 8.0-year-old ATR 72 registered as G-CMJJ, had initially departed Birmingham at 3.52pm. The plane, operated by Emerald Airlines under Aer Lingus Regional, made a safe emergency landing back at Birmingham at around 4.25pm. The ATR 72, previously operated by TransNusa and later by Nordic Aviation Capital, was taken over by Emerald Airlines in May 2022 and re-registered in the UK in March 2023.

Incident Overview While climbing towards Belfast, the crew detected a suspicious device aboard the aircraft, prompting an immediate return to Birmingham. Upon landing, the aircraft was directed to a secure area of the airport for further investigation. Emergency services were deployed, and the airport initiated standard security protocols to handle the situation safely.

Response and Investigation Details about the suspicious device are limited, and the ongoing investigation seeks to determine its nature and potential risks. The airport’s swift response aimed to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and ground staff, with all necessary precautions taken to manage the threat effectively.

This incident has raised concerns about security measures on regional flights, with investigations ongoing. Updates will follow as more information becomes available regarding the nature of the suspicious device and the outcomes of the security checks.

Safety and Security Aer Lingus and Birmingham Airport authorities are working closely with local law enforcement to investigate the incident thoroughly. Passenger safety remains a top priority, and further measures to enhance security are expected as a result of this event.