On Saturday afternoon, Kittilä Airport experienced significant disruptions due to adverse weather conditions. Two aircraft were involved in separate incidents as they taxied on the runway. Both planes slid into snowbanks amidst strong winds, although no injuries were reported.
Details of the Incidents
The first incident occurred after 16:00, involving a Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A220-300 that had just arrived from Geneva. This aircraft was carrying approximately 150 passengers when it veered off the taxiway. Around the same time, a smaller business jet operated by Nextant Aerospace, which accommodates fewer than 10 passengers, also succumbed to the windy conditions. Fortunately, the two aircraft did not collide.
Weather Conditions
Lapland Rescue Services characterized the weather at Kittilä Airport as severe. The extremely strong crosswinds, combined with poor visibility caused by heavy snowfall, created hazardous flying conditions. Winds at the airport reached an average speed of 15 meters per second.
- Incident Time: After 16:00
- First Aircraft: Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A220-300
- Passenger Capacity: Approximately 150
- Second Aircraft: Nextant Aerospace 400XT
- Second Aircraft Capacity: Fewer than 10 passengers
- Wind Speed: Average of 15 meters per second
- Visibility: Severely limited
Emergency Response and Flight Delays
In response to the incidents, ten emergency response units were dispatched to the airport. The situation was initially categorized as a major aviation incident. By evening, both planes were successfully towed back to their designated positions. Finavia confirmed that the Swiss jet was being removed from the taxiway, which was expected to cause delays for other flights at Kittilä Airport.
Broader Impact
The storm, named Hannes, has affected large areas of Finland. Weather conditions remained challenging on Saturday not only at Kittilä but also at surrounding airports, including Rovaniemi and Ivalo. Travelers were advised to exercise caution due to the hazardous conditions impacting both air and land travel.
