Birmingham Airport passengers told 'do not come' amid serious incident

Passengers planning to use Birmingham Airport this afternoon (October 23) are being advised to reconsider their plans due to a major police incident that has led to the suspension of most operations. West Midlands Police have cordoned off the area following reports of a "suspicious vehicle" and stated, "This is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and staff."

The disruption is significant with thousands affected as incoming flights are either held or diverted, and while departures are still occurring, delays are being reported.

Images on social media depict large crowds being evacuated from the airport. For those wishing to keep abreast of the situation as it unfolds, live updates on the incident can be followed here.

Our daily newsletter also provides the latest news from Birmingham and beyond, directly to your inbox at no cost – sign up is available here. Birmingham Airport has urged travellers not to head to the airport amid the ongoing police activities.

Notably, at present, seven out of ten of the world's most tracked flights are headed towards Birmingham, reports Birmingham Live. Birmingham Airport has issued an urgent notice to passengers due to a current incident, stating: "West Midlands Police is currently dealing with an ongoing incident on-site.

"Airport operations are currently impacted, and passengers should not come to the airport at this time. The airport's social channels will be updated as and when the situation changes. For passengers with immediate flights this afternoon they should contact their airline and check the airport's website for updates."

Meanwhile, Jet2 passengers who found themselves stuck on a plane during the evacuation have been sharing images from inside the grounded aircraft. All other individuals have been evacuated to the nearby NEC for safety.