Passengers caught up in delays at Dublin Airport say they were relieved when flights resumed after only a 30-minute suspension.

Some passengers expressed concerns of long delays and queues similar to that seen at Gatwick Airport before Christmas after drone sightings.

Many arriving and departing from Dublin Airport, however, breathed a sigh of relief as flights returned to normal.

Planes were grounded and incoming flights diverted for a short time after the drone was spotted by a pilot.

Simon Harry, who travelled to Dublin from Manchester, was delayed on the runway before his flight departed.

He said: “We were delayed for about 15 minutes so it didn’t cause that much of a hassle.

“They told us at the time that it was because of a drone near Dublin airport.

“At first we thought we would be stuck there for a few hours because there was long delays at Gatwick Airport, but luckily it was dealt with and we could come to Ireland and we’re happy to be here.”

Christian Hamill, from the Lake District, was delayed in Manchester.

He said: “We were waiting on the runway for around 15 to 20 minutes.

“We are over for a stag party weekend so we weren’t in any big panic. It was fine.”

Fellow passenger and friend Tom Howlett said: “The worst thing that happened was the long queue for the toilets.”

Passengers Emma and Daniel, who travelled from Prague, were delayed in the air.

Emma, who did not want to give her surname, said: “We were circling in the air, though it wasn’t for ages, it was only for about 30 to 40 minutes.

“We wouldn’t have really noticed anything was going on, it wouldn’t be that out of the ordinary to be circling.

“We knew it was going to be windy though it wasn’t confirmed at that stage that it was the drone.

“When we landed and we were on the runway, people’s phones came on everyone started getting notifications about the drone and my dad texted me to let me know too.”