Passengers delayed after ground vehicle hits aircraft at LTN
Passengers bound for Tel Aviv were left grounded at London Luton Airport (LTN) after a pushback tug struck an Israir aircraft on Thursday evening, leading to the cancellation of the flight. The airline said the jet was damaged during towing, rendering it unfit to fly and requiring passengers to disembark and return to the terminal.
Israir flight 116, scheduled to operate from Luton to Ben-Gurion Airport, had been due to depart at 17:00 BST, with an expected arrival in Israel shortly after midnight local time on Friday. Following the incident, the airline arranged ground transportation and accommodation for affected customers and said it would reimburse reasonable food and travel costs subject to documentation and its policies.
Reports of extended wait on board
Some passengers described a lengthy wait on the aircraft without air conditioning before they were allowed to disembark. One traveller posted on social media that they had been on the plane for more than two and a half hours, with doors largely closed and people becoming distressed.
"Just had the most horrific experience I’ve ever had on an airplane. We were on @Israir_israel plan for over 2.5 hours with no AC. Doors closed most of the time. Children & adults panicking. An absolute NIGHTMARE."
According to the airline, those observing the Jewish Sabbath were unable to continue their journeys before the weekend and were expected to travel on Sunday.
Airline raises safety concerns over repeated incidents
In a statement shared with passengers, Israir said this was the third incident of its kind at Luton, and claimed there had been no investigation into previous cases. The carrier stressed that safety and security remained its priority as it dealt with the aftermath of Thursday’s collision. There was no immediate confirmation from the airport or ground services operator regarding the circumstances or any inquiry.
Flight details at a glance
| Flight | Route | Scheduled departure | Planned arrival | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Israir 116 | London Luton (LTN) → Tel Aviv (TLV) | 17:00 BST (Thu) | 00:05 local (Fri) | Cancelled |
What affected travellers can do
While the airline has pledged to cover certain expenses in line with its policy, passengers typically find it helpful to keep thorough records when a flight is cancelled due to an operational incident. Practical steps include:
- Retain receipts for meals, local transport and essentials purchased during the disruption.
- Keep copies of all communications from the airline about the cancellation and assistance offered.
- Confirm revised rebooking or accommodation arrangements directly with the carrier before leaving the airport.
Israir said passengers were escorted back to the terminal after the incident and that luggage was returned. The airline also arranged hotels and onward transport for those needing overnight stays.
Local impact and next steps
The disruption will be of concern to travellers using Luton, a key international gateway for this region. While the precise extent of the damage to the aircraft has not been disclosed, the grounding of the jet and the cancellation of a peak-time departure inevitably led to knock-on delays for customers.
As with any airside collision, questions will focus on how a pushback tug struck a stationary aircraft and what measures are in place to prevent similar events. Israir’s assertion that there have been multiple comparable incidents at Luton will likely prompt calls for clarity on operational procedures and any subsequent reviews. No timetable for an inquiry has been announced.
InfoRadar has approached relevant parties for further comment. Passengers should monitor updates from their airline before travelling to the airport.
