THE managing director of Exeter Airport has praised the response of his staff after flood water engulfed the main terminal building.

Torrential downpours at around 3pm yesterday saw an estimated two feet of water hit the front of the main terminal building, which then spread across the floor.

A crisis management team took control of the situation. Inside the building those who had not checked in were taken to the arrivals hall while others who had been through check-in were taken straight to the departure gate.

Other passengers on flights that had landed were held on aircraft until the situation improved and fire crews from both the airport and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were called to pump out the water.

There were no cancellations to flights but some were delayed as passengers struggled to get to their flights on time.

The problems were compounded as the B3184, the link road to the airport, was closed for an hour when it also flooded.

Staff at the airport opened car park three at both ends to allow vehicles access to the airport.

Managing director Jamie Christon said: "We had about two feet of water hit the front of terminal building in ten minutes, which spread across the floor. The B3184 link road to the airport was shut as well and the only access was by opening car park three to vehicles.

"We immediately called our crisis management team and had all staff available.

"There were no cancellations but there were a few delays as people were arriving late and we did not want them to miss their flight.

"But the airport remained open throughout. We are up and running at present and there are no problems at all.

"We have a bit of work to do overnight to make everything prim and proper for tomorrow but the fire crews were very quick in responding and everyone pulled together.

"We have had the occasional puddles of water in the past but this is the first time I have seen anything as quick and deep as this within a ten minute period.

"But the passengers were very understanding and our team did a fantastic job."

A spokesman for Devon Fire Service said: "We were called to assist with floods entering and affecting the main terminal building at Exeter Airport.

"The crews discovered the boiler room and basement of the terminal had flooded, they used an ejector pump to clear water."