PASSENGERS had to be removed from two Flybe planes at Southampton airport after they clipped tails on the ground.
A stationary plane, which had been scheduled to leave for Manchester at 7am, was clipped by another aircraft destined for Glasgow which was being reversed away from an airport gate ready for take-off at 6.55am.
More than 100 passengers were removed to the terminal but nobody was injured. The airport’s fire crews were scrambled.
The aircraft have been grounded for safety checks following the collision.
Other flights are continuing to land and take-off at the airport.
A Flybe spokesman said: “Flybe can confirm that, during the pushback process, the tail of the Glasgow-bound aircraft clipped the tail of the stationary Manchester-bound aircraft.
"Both tails suffered minor damage despite the fact that the aircraft was only moving at walking pace.
"Flybe engineers are currently assessing the aircraft.
“Flybe is bringing alternative aircraft to Southampton to operate those services and estimate that the BE880 to Glasgow will be delayed by two hours and 55 minutes, while the BE861 to Manchester will experience a delay of one hour and 45 minutes.
"Flybe apologises for these delays and any inconvenience this will cause our passengers.“
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