EasyJet flight delayed after clipping wings with another plane at Manchester Airport

Passengers onboard Friday morning's Easyjet flight from Manchester have described hearing an alarming bang when their aircraft clipped wings with another plane.

The incident happened as the plane was taxiing to the runway at Manchester Airport.

Both were EasyJet flights, with the other due to fly to Paris. The collision broke off a small section of the wing on the plane bound for the Rock. 

After a replacement plane was arranged, the Manchester Gibraltar flight arrived at just after 2:30pm Friday afternoon. 

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The airline said it has launched an immediate investigation. It issued a statement: 

“easyJet can confirm that the wing tips of two aircraft came into contact whilst taxiing to the runway at Manchester Airport this morning. 

"The aircraft returned to stand to disembark customers who have been provided with refreshment vouchers whilst replacement aircraft are arranged to operate the flights. We apologise to customers for the delay to their flights. The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority.”

 (Photo by Phil Aspin)