Flights suspended at Shannon airport after plane carrying US troops ‘catches fire’

Flights have been suspended temporarily at Shannon airport in Ireland after a plane carrying US troops caught fire and had to be evacuated.

It is believed the Boeing 763 plane’s brakes overheated and caught fire as the plane taxied along the runway before take off around 6.20am.  Smoke was seen coming from its landing gear, the Irish Times reported.

All passengers reportedly left the plane safely. The airport told RTE that all passengers and crew had disembarked safely from the plane and were now in the terminal building.

The plane is believed to be an Omni Air operated flight.

Flights are believed to be disrupted until the plane is removed from the runway. Passengers planning to depart from the airport this morning have been advised to check with airlines before heading to the airport.

The airport tweeted: “We are currently working to remove the aircraft from the scene of the incident so we can resume safe operations on the runway. This may take some time.”