A Greek Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon crash-landed at Zakynthos International Airport on the island of Zante after experiencing a technical glitch that led to a fire on board. The aircraft erupted in flames upon impact on the tarmac, sending thick black smoke into the sky.
Incident Details
The fighter jet had taken off from Araxos on the Greek mainland before a fire broke out, according to CNN Greece. The jet belongs to the 116th Combat Wing of the Hellenic Air Force, a long-standing NATO member. Emergency crews quickly responded, and the pilot was safely extracted from the wreckage. The pilot is reported to be in good health.
Flight Disruptions
Operations at Zakynthos airport have been significantly affected. The single-runway airport saw multiple flights diverted to alternative airports. According to Flightradar24, the following flights were diverted:
- British Airways flight BA662 from London Heathrow, scheduled to land at 2:50 PM, diverted to Athens
- TUI flight BY492 from Birmingham, due at 3:00 PM, diverted to Corfu International Airport
- easyJet flight U23693 from Milan, diverted to Corfu
- Wizz Air flight W62455 from Budapest, diverted to Athens
Location and Context
Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is a popular holiday island off Greece's western coast in the Ionian Sea, opposite Athens. The journey from Athens to Zante by car can take up to six hours. The airport's single runway has limited capacity, making diversions necessary during the emergency response.
