RAF Brize Norton Runway Closes For Repairs After Voyager Aircraft Damaged

RAF Brize Norton's runway has been closed while "routine" repairs, which have been affected by "recent extreme hot weather", are carried out.

It comes after a Royal Air Force Voyager's wheel was damaged recently when its tyre picked up tar from the Oxfordshire station's runway.

The repair work at the site, which is focused on fixing cracks to the runway, has meant aircraft based at Brize Norton have been temporarily deployed elsewhere, with some flights delayed.

An RAF spokesperson told Forces News: "Routine repair work on the runway at RAF Brize Norton has been affected by the recent extreme hot weather, leading to the runway being closed whilst rectification is completed.

"All associated RAF operations continue, with our aircraft using alternative airfields."

RAF Brize Norton is the largest station in the service, according to the Royal Air Force, with about 5,800 personnel, 1,200 contractors and 300 civilian staff.

The Oxfordshire base is home to both the RAF's Strategic and Tactical Air Transport (AT) and Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) forces.