Dramatic Runway Incident at German Airport
Two passengers have been arrested in Germany after a desperate attempt to catch their missed flight by storming the runway at Cologne Bonn airport. The men, aged 28 and 47, were apprehended by authorities following the alarming security breach on Friday evening.
A Reckless Dash for a Departing Flight
According to German police, the incident unfolded after the B70 gate had closed for boarding for Wizz Air flight W43262 bound for Bucharest. The late passengers allegedly smashed an emergency alarm to force open a door leading directly to the tarmac. The plane, an Airbus A321, was already taxiing towards the runway for its scheduled departure at approximately 9.33pm.
Video footage circulated on social media captured the moment the two men sprinted across the airfield, waving their arms in a frantic attempt to signal the pilot to stop the aircraft. Their dramatic dash was cut short when an airport employee intervened and intercepted them on the apron.
Legal Repercussions and Operational Impact
A police spokesperson confirmed to German newspaper Bild that criminal charges for trespassing have been filed against the men. An investigation into a potential violation of the Air Security Act is also ongoing. An airport spokesperson stated that the individuals gained "unauthorised access" to a secure area via an emergency exit.
Despite the dramatic scene, airport officials confirmed that aviation security was never compromised and flight operations continued without major disruption. The affected flight, Wizz Air's service to Romania, experienced a 12-minute departure delay but subsequently arrived safely in Bucharest. The two men were apprehended by airport staff and handed over to the Federal Police, with the airport initiating its own legal proceedings.
In unrelated news, Wizz Air has announced it will soon trial a new "Wizz Class" offering a business-class-style experience with perks like priority boarding and extra legroom on select routes from London and other European cities in December.
