Stansted Airport closes runway as passenger jet is evacuated after coming to a 'screeching halt' moments before take off The Laudamotion A320 jet was on the runway about to take off at Stansted Passengers claimed they heard a loud bang on one side of the aircraft The jet screeched to a halt before cabin crew ordered them to evacuate The passengers used the emergency slides to evacuate the Airbus aircraftBy Darren Boyle for MailOnline Published: 20:59 GMT, 1 March 2019 | Updated: 21:30 GMT, 1 March 2019 35 shares 2 Viewcomments A Laudamotion passenger jet has been evacuated on the runway at Stansted Airport after the captain aborted its take off. It is understood the aircraft suffered an engine failure moments before it was due to lift off en-route to Vienna. The Airbus A320 jet screeched to a halt. Passengers on board the aircraft were evacuated down emergency slides, forcing Air Traffic Controllers to halt all departures and arrivals. The Airbus A-320 Laudamotion jet, pictured, was evacuated on the runway at Stansted this evening after a suspected engine failure forced the pilot to abort the take off Passengers were evacuated from the aircraft down the emergency slides and taken away from the jet on buses to the terminal building A Laudamotion passenger jet has been evacuated on the runway at Stansted Airport after the captain aborted its take off Flights to and from the airport will be severely delayed for the rest of the night. Dozens of jets due to arrive at Stansted have been diverted to alternative airports. Passengers claimed they heard a bang as the aircraft gathered speed on the runway before the jet stopped. An airport spokesman said: 'Flights at London Stansted Airport are currently suspended due to an aircraft on the runway following an aborted take off due to a suspected engine problem. 'Emergency services attended and all passengers were evacuated from the aircraft as a precaution and have now been taken back to the terminal.' Passengers at Stansted Airport have been warned they face 'indefinite delays' this evening Some aircraft were reportedly returned to the gate and the passengers disembarked One passenger claimed there was a 'big bang' before the aircraft stopped There were no reports of any injuries. Images posted to social media by delayed passengers showed flashing blue lights on the runway. One man, who said he was on the plane, posted on Twitter: 'Mid take off at Stansted, our plane had a huge bang, skidded to a stop and all had to evacuate down the slides, with my friend opening the emergency door. A scary experience for sure.' https://twitter.com/hekeus/status/1101582621602181121 showed the emergency services assisting the jet. Significant delays are expected this evening as dozens of jets have been forced to divert to other airports such as Southend, Birmingham and Luton. Others returned to their departure airports. Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility