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The wingtip of a plane loaded with passengers has clipped the auxiliary power unit of a parked empty aircraft as it pushed back from the gate at a small US airport. Both planes at Punta Gorda Airport are owned by Allegiant Air, according to a statement from the airline, which said there were no injuries. The 136 passengers and six crew members of the Springfield, Illinois-bound plane had to disembark, and the flight was cancelled. Passengers had the option of getting on another flight or receiving a full refund. They also were given US$250 per itinerary, as well as US$150 vouchers, Allegiant said.<br/>

Aer Lingus cancelled some European flights as Covid curbs continued to disrupt travellers’ plans. Outright bans on some travellers and demands that passengers show negative test results to enter many countries hit Christmas holiday plans this year. Aer Lingus confirmed it had cancelled five European round trips, four on Monday, December 27th, and one on Tuesday, December 28th, following challenges to available resources. The flights hit on Monday were from Dublin to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Munich and Paris return. The airline has cancelled a Dublin-Paris return flight on Tuesday. The carrier said it was providing customers with alternatives to cancelled flights on the same day in a bid to minimise disruption. “Aer Lingus is communicating directly with impacted customers to advise them of their options, including alternative travel arrangements,” said a statement. “Like other airlines and industries globally, Aer Lingus continues to monitor and respond to this fluid situation,” the airline added. Meanwhile, figures show that Government Covid curbs failed to dent the number of Christmas flights in the Republic, but fewer people than expected may have travelled this year. EU figures show that the Republic hosted 1,000 flights between Christmas Eve and St Stephen’s Day this year, in line with the pattern ahead of the holiday.<br/>