Guadalajara International Airport. Photo: Shutterstock A series of disturbing runway incidents have occurred in the last 24 hours, including one involving a man trespassing on the runway and another involving a plane that skidded off the runway.
Guadalajara International Airport in Mexico operated under emergency procedures yesterday (November 25) after an individual was detected trespassing on the runway.
The on-site security team identified the person who entered the prohibited area, quickly approached him, and neutralized him without harming the aircraft or disrupting further operational activity.
According to the report, the incident occurred at 08:15, on runway 29R.
Following this, the airport activated a special procedure designed to deal with security incidents. In coordination with the Mexican Civil Aviation Authority and other security agencies, the runway was temporarily closed for safety checks and to ensure passenger safety.
During the incident, the air traffic authority halted all aircraft movement during landing and takeoff, and the airport's fire and rescue teams reinforced the area. At the same time, the aircraft near the incident was also examined and found undamaged.
The person who was captured was transferred to the Mexican Guardia Nacional and later to the Public Prosecutor's Office for further investigation. An investigation was opened at the airport to clarify the circumstances of the person's arrival in the prohibited area.
As a result of the incident, Volaris flight 1332 en route to Acapulco was delayed, and six other flights were disrupted. After the incident was dealt with, the airport resumed normal operations.
This follows a similarly disturbing recent incident at Cologne Airport in Germany, when two Romanian men illegally entered the runway in a desperate attempt to stop a Wizz Air flight to Bucharest. They were immediately stopped by airport security and detained until police arrived.
A Polish LOT plane that landed in Vilnius today (Wednesday, November 26), after a flight from Warsaw on route LO771, skidded off the runway while taxiing to the parking stand.
Vilnius Airport, Lithuania. Photo: Shutterstock
According to the report, the airport crews quickly evacuated the passengers, who were then transferred to the terminal, collected their luggage, and left the airport without injuries.
Following the incident, the Vilnius Airport runway was temporarily closed until 5:00 PM, in order to handle the incident and inspect the surface conditions.