45 Minutes Delay

by Seamus Phan

Aircraft en-route to destination with only one runway. ATC inform captain that an aircraft has burst its tyres on landing and to expect a delay of approximately 45 minutes. ATC requests captain to call the airline company who give them options for diversion airports. Captain informs them that he has sufficient holding fuel available and he will hold in the hope that the aircraft will be towed clear of the runway within that time. During the holding time the diversion airports become saturated with aircraft diverting and are unable to take anymore diversions.