Melbourne Airport: Etihad flight aborts takeoff after two tyres burst following landing gear fire

Melbourne Airport was thrown into full scale alert after a passenger plane was forced to abort takeoff when two tyres exploded on the runway which is closed as the plane is the source of an investigation and repair.

The Etihad Airways Boeing 787 jumbo jet with around 300 people on board was about to soar into the air bound for Abu Dhabi when smoke began billowing from the landing gear and two tyres reportedly burst at around 6pm on Sunday evening.

7NEWS has obtained footage of the plane on the tarmac surrounded by fire trucks and emergency crews.

A caller to 3AW’s Jacqui Felgate said that the plane “had to slam on the emergency brakes” during the attempted take off.

The Boeing 787 jet sustained damage to two wheels and remained on the runway on Sunday night, which is currently closed.

The Melbourne International Airport was operating at a reduced capacity on Monday with a flow-on effect for holidaymakers and workers in one of Australia’s busiest periods.

Arrivals and departures are effected with flights changing schedule and delays mounting.

“While there have been no cancellations at this stage, there have been disruptions to some flights,” a spokesperson told AAP.

“Some flights have departed with less fuel and will need to refuel on the way to their final destination.”

with AAP.