EasyJet Flight Forced to Abort Landing at Paris-Orly Due to Mortar Fire
Paris-Orly Airport experienced significant disruption on Sunday afternoon as an EasyJet flight from Venice, Italy, was forced to abort its landing approach. The incident, occurring during the busy Easter weekend, involved the pilot executing a ‘remise de gaz‘ – a go-around – after spotting what appeared to be mortar fire near runway 3 (also known as runway 25).
What Happened?
At approximately 5:40 PM on April 5th, the EasyJet pilot was preparing to land when they observed mini-explosions and smoke emanating from the ground, resembling fireworks, very close to the runway threshold. Investigations revealed that individuals were launching approximately ten mortars from a location near the intersection of Rue Lamartine and Rue du 8-Mai-1945 in Villeneuve-le-Roi (Val-de-Marne), close to the Staf transport company warehouses.
Immediately, the captain initiated a ‘remise de gaz‘, increasing power and altitude to safely distance the aircraft from the source of the firing. EasyJet confirmed that the aircraft was never struck by any projectiles. The flight then circled over Essonne, Sénart, parts of Seine-et-Marne, and the eastern Val-de-Marne before attempting another landing.
Airport Response and Investigation
Air traffic control swiftly closed runway 3, leaving runways 4 (normally used for takeoffs) and 2 (reserved for emergencies) operational. The EasyJet flight was directed to runway 4, where it landed without further incident. The Paris Orly Airport authorities prioritized passenger safety throughout the event.
“At no point was the safety of passengers on board compromised,” emphasized EasyJet. “Our pilots are highly trained to perform go-arounds as a precautionary measure, in accordance with our procedures, and the flight subsequently landed normally.” Runway 3 remained closed until approximately 7:00 PM.
The Source of the Mortar Fire
The Gendarmerie des Transports Aériens (GTA) investigated the incident and obtained video footage from a witness. The footage revealed that the mortar fire originated from a wedding procession consisting of around fifteen vehicles, including cars and quads. The prosecutor’s office reported the presence of “a sedan and several individuals firing mortars into the air.”
The investigation is now focused on determining whether the wedding party was aware of the potential danger to aircraft landing on runway 25, given the low altitude of planes during approach. Authorities are also investigating whether the location was chosen deliberately to target aircraft. As of this report, the individuals responsible have not been identified.
Further Reading: For more information on aviation safety, visit the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website.
