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Foreign Minister Wadephul exits plane on runway in Belfast

9 أكتوبر، 2025
من إعداد الذكاء الاصطناعي

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul faced an unusual incident upon arriving in Belfast: Due to a narrow taxiway, he could only exit his plane after 45 minutes directly on the runway. The captain expressed frustration with the ground crew. Wadephul took the mishap in stride.

Johann Wadephul, Germany's Foreign Minister, traveled on an Airbus A350 from the Bundeswehr's flight readiness unit to Belfast for the Western Balkans meeting. The plane landed around 18:49 on Aldergrove Airport near the Northern Irish capital. Immediately, the flight captain informed the delegation of an issue: The assigned taxiway was too narrow for the large aircraft.

"The colleagues on the ground here in Belfast obviously aren't quite aware that our plane is a bit larger," the captain explained calmly over the intercom. "That's why they're still discussing the taxiway width right now, as the one assigned to take us to the parking spot is too narrow for our aircraft." He mentioned the option of shutting down the engines and towing the plane about 300 to 400 meters to the parking position, asking for patience.

At 19:13, a second announcement followed, more frustrated: The captain called the situation "more than unsatisfactory" and had told the tower the same thing five times already. He suggested passengers exit directly on the runway, but "they're debating themselves to death here." Wadephul and his delegation waited about 45 minutes.

Eventually, the plane rolled just a few meters further. At 19:34, the CDU politician exited via the rear door directly on the runway – one of two available there. "My goodness, what a drama," he quipped teasingly and amused. This caused him to miss the reception starting at 19:00. The incident highlights logistical challenges for large government aircraft at smaller airports.

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