Shannon Airport reopens after plane slips onto grass

Shannon Airport has reopened after a flight got into difficulty on landing this morning.

The Aer Lingus regional flight operated by Aer Arann veered off the runway and onto the grass on its second attempt at landing, due to a mechanical failure.

All 21 passengers and four flight crew on board escaped uninjured.

Emergency services attended the scene.

The airport reopened just after 4pm and flights are now operating normally.

Passengers are advised to contact their airline if they were scheduled to fly on one of the flights earlier disrupted.

The Irish Aviation Authority and the Air Accident Investigation Unit are investigating.

Aer Arann Spokesperson Andrew Kelly said that on the aircraft's second approach, there was a failure of the nose wheel landing gear.