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4h ago

Taxiway Dispute Delays German Foreign Minister’s Exit After Belfast Landing

A dispute over whether the assigned taxiway was wide enough for the Airbus A350 led to an on-runway exit.

Außenminister Johann Wadephul
Weil die Bodenmannschaft des Towers in Belfast wohl von der Größe des deutschen Regierungs-Airbusses überrascht war, muss Außenminister Johann Wadephul (CDU) das Flugzeug mitten auf der Landebahn verlassen.
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Overview

  • Johann Wadephul waited about 45 minutes after arriving at Aldergrove near Belfast before leaving his Bundeswehr A350.
  • The flight captain briefed passengers at 18:49 on concerns that the assigned taxiway was too narrow for the widebody jet.
  • A second announcement at 19:13 conveyed growing frustration as he said he had warned the tower multiple times and suggested disembarking on the spot.
  • The aircraft moved only a short distance before Wadephul exited via the rear door at around 19:34 and greeted Ambassador Susanne Baumann on the runway.
  • The delay caused him to miss the 19:00 start of a reception for the West Balkans meeting hosted by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, with no safety incident reported.