Reaction to Birmingham Airport incident – ‘chaos outside’ as some passengers ‘stuck’ on planes

Passengers have taken to social media reacting to the Birmingham Airport evacuation news. The transport hub posted shortly after 1.30pm on Wedneaday (October 23) that the some of the airport’s ‘operations were currently suspended' with West Midlands Police on site dealing with an ‘incident’.

The West Midlands Police force confirmed the airport was being evacuated ‘following a report of a suspicious vehicle’. Police said the measure was ‘precautionary’ to make sure passengers and staff were safe. You can read the full police statement here.

One passenger called Cheeta, posted on X and said: “I am stuck on a plane, claustrophobic, pleading to get off. How long is this situation going to take?”

Read more: Live: Updates as Birmingham Airport closed amid major police incident

Another called Spandle said: “My mum and dad are stuck on a plane at Birmingham airport. They have no idea what’s going on they just got back from Spain.” While a third, Andrea McNeilly, said: “Very thankful to have managed to get off our flight from Dubai that arrived at 12.30. Chaos outside and had to walk to car park 5 to be picked up by our taxi.”

Passengers are said to have been evacuated to the neighbouring National Exhibition Centre (NEC) – which is joined to the airport via a monorail. A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport has now said its operations are ‘currently impacted’ – but the airport is not closed. Some operations are continuing.

Read more: Birmingham Airport flights delayed and diverted amidst major police incident

RN has posted to say: “Birmingham Airport is not evacuated. No evacuation at all, potentially security. We were told to go into main terminal like an hour ago, everyone's very unbothered tbh.”

West Midlands Fire Service has just posted on X and said its officers received the called just after midday. A said: “Shortly after 12.20pm today, we were notified of an ongoing incident at Birmingham Airport.

“Two officers are currently on site, working closely with police, ambulance, and airport staff. Local resources are on standby, ready to provide additional support if needed.”