A plane veered off the runway at Vilnius airport earlier today, causing a scare for passengers onboard a LOT Polish Airlines flight. Witnesses described the incident as reminiscent of a car skidding. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all passengers safely disembarked after the plane, arriving from Warsaw at 1:43 pm local time, skidded off the runway.
Authorities promptly closed the runway, a closure expected to last until 5 pm, while emergency service vehicles, including a fire engine, surrounded the aircraft during the evacuation. Passengers commended the calm and organized response of the airline staff, with one passenger, Nerijus, praising the orderly conduct and clear communication.
Another passenger likened the experience to a car skid, noting the abrupt stop of the plane after a decrease in speed during a turn. Basketball coach Kazys Maksvytis, also onboard, shared his account, attributing the incident to snowy runway conditions causing the plane to slide during a turn. Despite a brief moment of concern, the situation was quickly under control.
While the airport has yet to confirm the exact cause of the incident, speculation suggests heavy snow may have played a role. Local weather forecasts predict ongoing snowfall in the area, potentially affecting operations in the coming days.