Passenger Jet Skids Off Runway in Snowy Conditions
An Embraer 170 aircraft operated by LOT Polish Airlines slid off the runway at Vilnius Airport in Lithuania on Wednesday, 26 November, forcing officials to temporarily close the airfield. The incident occurred at 1.34pm local time as flight LO771, arriving from Warsaw, was taxiing towards its stand after landing.
All 63 passengers and four crew members were safely evacuated from the aircraft using mobile stairs. They were subsequently transferred to the terminal, collected their baggage, and have since departed the airport. Tadas Vasiliauskas, a representative for Lithuanian Airports, confirmed to The Independent that no injuries were reported from the incident.
Airport Operations and Weather Warnings
In response to the incident, the runway at Vilnius airport was closed. Authorities announced it would remain temporarily closed until 5pm while the situation was assessed. Images circulating on social media depicted the airport blanketed in heavy snow at the time of the incident.
This aligns with a prior warning issued by the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service. On Tuesday, 25 November, the service had advised travellers to postpone their journeys due to incoming inclement weather, noting that temperatures were expected to drop to freezing levels.
Airline Statement and Cancellations
In an official statement provided to The Independent, LOT Polish Airlines elaborated on the event. The airline confirmed that the aircraft, with registration SP-LDK, left the paved surface of the taxiway during the final phase of its landing roll.
The Polish flag carrier also confirmed the cancellation of its subsequent service, flight LO772 from Vilnius. The airline stated that its technical services were working alongside Vilnius airport operational services to manage the situation and assess the aircraft. Further information regarding other LOT Polish Airlines flights to Vilnius is expected to be communicated in due course.
This incident follows a series of unusual disruptions at Vilnius airport in October, when the airspace was closed six times due to unauthorised weather balloons, allegedly used by smugglers transporting contraband cigarettes.
