The Aer Lingus flight which left Edinburgh full of rugby fans travelling to Dublin on Friday lunchtime has had to turn back to Edinburgh Airport where it is now sitting on the ground.
One passenger aboard said that the plane flew for about 20 minutes, then there was a report of a possible fuel leak into the baggage hold and it turned back to Edinburgh where it was escorted in with several fire appliances.
All passengers have since disembarked and are again in the departure lounge. A passenger said: “There are no Aer Lingus staff here to tell us what is going on. There are many kilted rugby fans with no idea what’s going to happen. Everyone is scattered around the airport waiting for an announcement. There is no information on the Aer Lingus app either. The sum total of the latest update is that there will be an update at 4.30.”
Thomas Russell from Edinburgh is one of those stuck in Edinburgh Airport when as he said: “I should be in Dublin now. I am travelling with a group of friends but my family are already over there. My first thought was to go back home and get the car and take the ferry but we are stuck here waiting to hear what is happening. I hope we get there – but we are a pessimistic nation when it comes to rugby.”
The match on Saturday against Ireland is the most important of the season as Scotland still have a chance of winning the Guinness Six Nations Championship.
Scotland have not been in position to win the championship at the final game since the Six Nations was introduced in 2000.
Edinburgh Airport were contacted for comment but said it is a matter for Aer Lingus as it is their flight.
