Grand Princess: Jet carrying 135 Brits from quarantined coronavirus-hit cruise ship lands in UK

A plane carrying 135 British nationals who were on board a cruise ship quarantined due to a coronavirus outbreak has landed in the UK.

The Kalitta Air charter flight, carrying passengers from the Grand Princess, touched down at Birmingham Airport at about 5pm on Wednesday.

Ground crew, including some in white overalls and face masks, could be seen around the aircraft.

Stairs had been pushed up against the front and rear exits of the plane, where Border Force staff in hi-vis jackets could be seen.

An older couple, both wearing face masks, were the first passengers off the aircraft – with the woman seen to get in the back of a waiting ambulance.

Luggage was being taken from the cargo hold using a conveyor.

A paramedic from West Midlands Ambulance Service, clothed in a white haz-mat overall which covered her face and head, was seen talking to the older couple.

The medic then led them both to the rear of the ambulance, with the male passenger going into the vehicle first, followed by the woman.

Around 90 minutes after landing at Birmingham Airport, the rest of the passengers from the cruise liner flight started to disembark.

As they descended stairs at the rear of the plane, they were checked by Border Force staff and another paramedic in a hazmat suit before getting on a coach waiting on the tarmac.

Nearly all the passengers coming off the plane could be seen wearing face masks.

Some of the older people among their number were offered a helping hand up the coach’s steep steps by two officials, in white hazmat suits.

As they disembarked, the ambulance into which the first two passengers had been taken, left the airport apron with its blue lights on.

About 20 minutes after the disembarkation started, the first of the four coaches pulled off.