Plane abandons take-off at Cardiff airport after bird is sucked into engine

A plane was forced to abandon take-off at Cardiff airport after a bird was sucked into its engine.

The pilot of the Flybe aircraft slammed on the brakes once he realised something was wrong.

More than 80 people were evacuated from the flight that was headed to Paris at 10.20am.

Passenger Jonny Alcock, 26, from Wales, told WalesOnline: “Everyone was a bit shocked why we had stopped on the middle of the runway and then a fire engine pulled up.

"An announcement came on saying 'nobody panic we will get it sorted' and the pilot said 'we will be getting everyone off the plane soon'.

"A bird had got in the engine."

Mr Alcock and the rest of the passengers were eventually able to make their way to Paris at 2pm when a new flight was found for them.

He admitted there was initial panic but described the incident as “one of those freak things.”

A Cardiff Airport spokeswoman said: "At approximately 10.20 this morning, Flybe flight BE4565 to Paris Charles de Gaulle experienced a bird strike as it was preparing to depart.

"Emergency services attended and the aircraft taxied safely to a stand where passengers were offloaded and have now departed on another aircraft.

"The runway closed for a very short time, however no other flights were affected, the runway re-opened very shortly after and all flights continue to operate as scheduled.

"The safety and security of our staff and customers remains our number one priority."