British Airways 787 Hit by Van at Heathrow Causes 24-Hour Delay, Estimated £100K Loss

London, United Kingdom: A British Airways flight was canceled at London Heathrow Airport after a ground service vehicle became lodged under a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, causing significant damage and a 24-hour delay.

The incident occurred on Monday evening at Terminal 5, where a van operated by Thales, an aviation technology firm, rolled beneath the aircraft’s wing after its driver failed to engage the handbrake during pre-departure checks. The vehicle became wedged under the fuselage, leading to the cancellation of Flight BA33 to Kuala Lumpur over safety concerns.

Approximately 300 passengers were affected by the cancellation, resulting in a 24-hour delay. They were provided with overnight accommodation while engineers and emergency services assessed the situation. The total cost of the incident, including safety checks, compensations, and revised crew schedules, was estimated at £100,000. British Airways confirmed the delay and provided accommodations, while Thales did not comment on the incident.

For passengers affected by flight cancellations, British Airways offers assistance with delays, cancellations, and refunds. Passengers are advised to update their contact information in “Manage My Booking” to receive timely updates.