An incident at Nice Côte d’Azur airport in France saw an easyJet plane narrowly avoid a collision with a Nouvelair jet as it was preparing for take-off. The two aircraft, both Airbus A320s, were carrying over 300 passengers and crew combined. The near-miss occurred when the Tunisian Airbus attempted to land on the wrong runway, prompting a swift response to avert disaster.
The French transport minister, Philippe Tabarot, confirmed the close call, stating that an investigation had been immediately initiated by the air accident investigation branch (BEA). Reports indicated that the planes were merely 10 feet apart, with the easyJet pilot remarking that only three meters separated them.
While blame initially fell on the Nouvelair pilot for the runway error, further scrutiny pointed towards a possible miscommunication from the control tower. Flight tracking data revealed the Tunisian Airbus veering towards the incorrect runway before making a last-minute correction.
Following the unsettling incident, the easyJet flight bound for Nantes was canceled, with passengers being reassigned. The captain, visibly shaken, informed passengers of the narrow miss, attributing the fault to the other aircraft. Both flights have been grounded for investigation, with the BEA emphasizing the seriousness of the event and the need for thorough examination of all factors involved.
The easyJet spokesperson reiterated the airline’s commitment to safety and cooperation with the ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the near collision. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of aviation safety protocols and procedures.