Manchester Airport faced disruptions on 19 September 2026 after a hole was identified on runway 05L/23R. The defect led to a closure lasting approximately two hours, impacting flight operations at the northern England hub.
Flight Diversions to Liverpool and Stansted
Three Manchester-bound flights were diverted to Liverpool Airport (LPL) due to the runway closure. These included flights XQ592 from Antalya, LS884 from Pisa, and LS802 from Rhodes. Additionally, Pegasus Airlines flight PC7281 originating from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen was rerouted to Stansted Airport amidst the airport shutdown.
Delays and Passenger Advisories
Flights to and from Manchester Airport experienced delays averaging about fifty minutes on departures scheduled following the disruption. Passengers were
advised to verify their flight status before traveling to the airport to account for potential delays.
Official Statements and Planned Mitigation
An airport spokesperson described the runway closure as a temporary measure to allow for routine maintenance. Pegasus Airlines confirmed the diversion of flight PC7281 to Stansted and indicated plans to schedule an additional flight to reduce the impact of delays on affected passengers.
Background on Previous Runway Disruptions
This incident follows an earlier disruption on 31 August 2026 at Manchester Airport’s Delta Zulu crossing, a runway intersection, where a hole similarly affected operations and caused extensive delays. The recent event at runway 05L/23R adds to operational challenges experienced this
month.
