Updated - An Air Malta stairs vehicle hit the wing tip of a Turkish Airlines aircraft at Malta International Airport this afternoon, just as the aircraft was about to depart for Istanbul.

The flight, which had been scheduled to leave at 3pm, was delayed was delayed for several hours until a replacement aircraft arrived.  

A number of those on board said they had missed flight connections as a result of the delay.

An Air Malta spokesman said the airline and the airport authorities were investigating the matter.