Desperate Sprint on the Tarmac Ends in Arrest
In a dramatic breach of airport security, two passengers were arrested by German police after they sprinted onto the runway at Cologne Bonn Airport in a last-ditch attempt to catch their departing flight. The incident, which took place on Friday evening, saw the two men, aged 28 and 47, risking their safety and violating strict aviation protocols.
A Drastic Attempt to Board
The duo were attempting to board a Wizz Air flight bound for Romania, which was scheduled for a 9.30pm departure. The aircraft, with its red flashing lights on and engines running, was already in the process of taxiing for takeoff. Witnesses reported seeing the men signalling frantically to the pilot in a bid to stop the plane.
Their opportunity to board through conventional means had vanished, as gate B70 had already closed. In a desperate move, the pair allegedly smashed the glass of an emergency alarm at 9.33pm and pressed a button to open a door leading directly to the tarmac, granting them unauthorised access to the secure apron area.
Swift Intervention and Legal Consequences
An alert airport employee quickly intervened, approaching the men on the tarmac and apprehending them before they could reach the aircraft. They were subsequently handed over to the Federal Police. Despite the alarming security breach and the resulting delay, the Wizz Air flight managed to take off only a few minutes later and remarkably landed ahead of schedule in Bucharest.
A spokesperson for Cologne Bonn airport confirmed that aviation security was never compromised and flight operations continued unaffected. However, the airport has initiated legal proceedings against the individuals.
Federal police spokesperson Oliver Hünewinckell stated that criminal charges for trespassing have been filed against the men, and an investigation for a violation of the Air Security Act is ongoing. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of bypassing airport security measures.
