Storm Hannes Forces Aircraft Off Kittila Runway in Finland; 150 Safe

A commercial aircraft carrying approximately 150 people slid off the runway while landing. This incident occurred at Kittila Airport runway excursion in Finland's Lapland region. The landing took place amid severe weather from Finland storm Hannes. Finnish airport operator Finavia confirmed the event.

Incident Details and Safety

The commercial aircraft slides off the paved surface. It came to a stop in deep snow, according to Finavia. Crucially, no injuries were reported among the 150 people on board. The flight was arriving from Geneva, Switzerland. The airline operating the Geneva to Kittila flight was not immediately identified.

In a separate, minor incident, a smaller aircraft also hit a snowbank. This second event also occurred at Kittila Airport on Saturday afternoon. No injuries were reported among the 10 people on that smaller plane.

Operational Impact and Recovery

Finavia flight disruptions immediately followed the main incident. Airport recovery operations began to remove the aircraft from the snow. These operations caused delays and cancellations for other flights. Stormy conditions also affected air traffic at Rovaniemi and Ivalo airports. These are also major hubs for Lapland air traffic.

Air traffic restrictions were in place at all three airports. This was due to the severe weather conditions and strong winds. Operations later resumed at Ivalo and Kittila in the evening. Finavia continuously assessed wind strength and conditions with air traffic control.

Winter Operations and Aviation Standards

Kittila, Rovaniemi, and Ivalo are key winter tourist destinations. They experience heightened air traffic during the holiday season. This reliance on winter travel highlights the need for robust severe winter weather operations. Finavia is known for its 'Snowhow' expertise in maintaining operations. This is despite the harsh northern conditions.

European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations govern operations in snow and ice. These rules cover everything from aircraft de-icing to aviation safety standards for runways. Runway condition reports are vital for safe landing decisions. Incidents like this underscore the constant challenge of winter flying.

• The International Air Transport Association (IATA) works to harmonize de-icing methods globally.
• Airports use anti-skid braking systems and specific runway treatments.
• This is necessary to prevent runway overrun or excursion in slippery conditions.

Stakeholders across the industry follow the latest commercial aviation news for updates. They continue to refine procedures to mitigate such weather risks.