The airport reopened last night after a small private aircraft crashed on the runway yesterday afternoon.

Aaron Adderley, president of Skyport, confirmed that LF Wade International Airport had reopened at about 9.15pm.

Mr Adderley said: “The pilot walked from the aircraft unassisted, but was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.”

There were no passengers on board the plane. The damaged plane was towed away at about 8.15pm.

Russann Francis, Acting Lieutenant of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, said the crash alarm was sounded just after 5.30pm.

The spokeswoman said that a Bermudian-registered private Cessna 172 aircraft had been approaching the runway when the pilot “experienced difficulty and landed short”.

Firefighters laid a foam blanket to suppress any fuel leakage before the pilot was removed from the plane.

A number of flights were impacted by the airport closure and diverted to the United States.

The British Airways flight scheduled to arrive yesterday evening was diverted to New York.

A spokeswoman for the airline said: “We are providing hotel accommodation and working hard to help customers continue on their journey.

“Customers are advised to keep checking www.ba.com for latest updates.”

A spokesman for Blue Sky Flights, which owns the aircraft, said that the company was investigating.

He said: “We have activated our accident response plan and are working with regulatory authorities to determine the cause of the mishap.

“We will release additional information as it becomes available.

“We would like the thank the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service for their prompt and professional response to the incident.”

Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, gave his thanks to those who took part in the emergency response efforts.

Mr Caines said: “The EMO was kept fully abreast of all the developments regarding the Cessna aircraft mishap.

“Our emergency personnel enacted the requisite safety protocols during throughout the incident, which is a true testament to their preparedness and specialised training.

“Each member of our emergency service must be commended for their professionalism and bravery, and we’re all extremely thankful there were no severe injuries or loss of life.”

Michael Dunkley said the One Bermuda Alliance joined Mr Caines in recognising emergency responders for their “professionalism and bravery”.

Mr Dunkley said: “Today on behalf of my colleagues I reached out directly to those involved to thank them for their good work and to send best wishes to the injured pilot.”