A Polish charter plane operated by Enter Air skidded off the runway while landing at Krakow’s John Paul II International Airport on Sunday afternoon, causing temporary flight suspensions and redirecting incoming air traffic to a nearby city.
The aircraft, which had departed from Antalya in southern Turkey shortly after noon local time, was carrying approximately 190 passengers. According to airport officials, the incident occurred at around 2 p.m. local time as the plane landed in Krakow, veering off the runway and coming to a stop on a grassy area adjacent to the tarmac.
All passengers aboard the flight were safely evacuated and transported to the airport terminal, with officials confirming that no injuries were sustained as a result of the mishap. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene and remained present throughout the evacuation process.
Operations at the airport were brought to a halt for about two hours in the aftermath of the incident as authorities worked to secure the site and assess the condition of the runway. Departures and scheduled arrivals were affected, with inbound flights from cities including Zurich, Venice, Palermo, Memmingen, and Basel being redirected to Katowice, a city approximately 80 kilometers away.
Monika Chylaszek, a spokeswoman for Krakow airport, stated that the suspension of flight operations was necessary to ensure the safety of passengers and staff as emergency protocols were enacted and the aircraft was removed from the grass.
As of Sunday afternoon, the cause of the runway excursion had not yet been disclosed, and airport authorities indicated that a thorough investigation would follow. The incident comes as Krakow’s airport has been experiencing a surge in passenger numbers, and the disruption underscores the potential operational challenges faced by busy travel hubs.
Passengers affected by the diversion to Katowice were assisted with alternate travel arrangements. Regular operations at Krakow airport resumed after the two-hour suspension, and the airport reaffirmed its commitment to safety while extending gratitude to emergency responders for their swift action.
Authorities are expected to release additional details regarding the cause of the incident and any further safety measures as investigations progress.
