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Airlines could face compensation claims of more than £2million after East Midlands Airport was forced to close for 20 hours due to a cargo plane stranded on the runway.

More than 60 flights were cancelled and thousands of travellers affected when the airport shut down at 2.30am on Tuesday and remained closed until just after 10.30pm.

Now industry experts say the closure could result in claims for compensation from passengers of more than £2 million, with the airport also facing a huge loss.

Grounded: A cargo plane became stranded on the runway at East Midlands Airport after a fault with its landing gear

The drama began after part of the landing gear failed on an in-bound cargo flight from Charles De Gaulle Airport, Paris.

The runway closed as emergency services carried out an investigation into the accident, but neither the pilot or co-pilot were hurt.

Passengers faced huge delays and some were eventually forced to travel from different airports after being transferred by taxi or bus.

The situation also affected people who were expecting to be returning to East Midlands Airport and found themselves diverted.

Dave Wilkinson, of Belper, Derby, was supposed to be travelling back from Dublin at 8am.

Take off: Flights were grounded from 2.30am to 10.30pm on Tuesday due to the fault

He said: 'I was offered a different flight to either Manchester at 10.30am or Birmingham at 4pm.

'I chose Manchester but still had to get back to East Midlands Airport as my car is in one of the car parks. I have been assured there will be no extra cost for my car.'

Helen Ham, 54, of Littleover, Derby, should have flown to Paphos at 6am, but was re-routed on to a 1.55pm flight.

She said: 'Thomas Cook have been really good with us and texted me to let me know what was happening. Things like this can't be helped. There was a good British spirit getting us through.'

But Peter and Elaine Marson, of Stanley Village, Ilkeston, were angry with budget airline Ryanair.

Mr Marson said: 'We were due to fly to Palma at 9.30am but we got there and were told to go home and look at our e-mails.

Take off: Flights were grounded from 2.30am to 10.30pm on Tuesday due to the fault

'We wanted some really quality time in the sun. But now it looks like we are going home for a cup of tea. We have no transport to get back so we are abandoned.

'It's shocking. It's not Ryanair's fault, but they could do more for their customers.'

Fellow passenger Danielle Hardcastle said: 'We were in tears. We have been saving for six months. I understand things go wrong but there has been a lack of answers and we have only got this transfer through doing it ourselves and not through Ryanair.'

Despite the ensuing chaos as scores of flights were cancelled, Andy Cliffe, airport managing director, said he was satisfied with how the airport handled the situation.

He said: 'It is not an easy situation but I am pleased with the way everyone has responded, from our emergency service staff through to our staff around the concourse throughout the day.

'Everything swung into action and we started to contact other airports to see what could be done to get people away as planned.'