Video circulating online shows Qantas flight QF71 appearing to damage the runway as it took off for Singapore about 12.15pm on Sunday.

The footage, shot by a plane spotter, shows the Qantas A330 appearing to blow up part of the runway as it began to taxi for take off.

As the plane gathers speed, a thick cloud of dark dust and what appears to be chunks of tarmac can be seen billowing out behind it.

“Earlier today, pavement damage on the main runway was identified in a safety inspection following a departing aircraft,” an airport spokesperson said on Sunday.

“Pavement maintenance works are now under way.”

QF71, which had 271 people on board, took off without further incident.

But another flight – a Silk Way West 747 freight plane – which had been due to land soon after had to divert to Adelaide due to the damage.

Other planes were able to use Perth’s remaining runway, which is much shorter than the main runway.

It’s reported that the airport said crews worked through the night to repair the damage, and repairs were complete by early Monday with the runway returning to full operations.

– TND