Operations at Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK) have been suspended until at least the evening following a runway excursion involving an AirExplore-operated aircraft earlier today.
The incident occurred shortly after 2:00 p.m. local time when the Boeing 737-800, operating flight E47030 on behalf of Polish charter airline Enter Air, landed in adverse weather conditions and ran off the end of Runway 25.
According to initial reports, the flight originated in Antalya, Turkey, carrying holidaymakers back to Poland. Upon landing in Kraków amid heavy rainfall, the aircraft failed to come to a complete stop on the paved surface and overran the runway.
The plane, identified by registration number OM-FEX, came to rest in an unpaved grassy area adjacent to the runway. Emergency services were immediately dispatched, but fortunately, all passengers and crew disembarked without injury.
Enter Air confirmed that while the incident involved an aircraft leased from the Slovak-based charter company AirExplore, upcoming flights on the Antalya–Kraków route will continue using aircraft from Enter Air’s own fleet. The company emphasized that passenger safety remains its highest priority and expressed gratitude that the incident did not result in harm to any individuals on board.
Authorities have since suspended all flight operations at Kraków Airport, with Eurocontrol reporting that arrivals and departures will remain unavailable until at least 20:00 UTC.
The suspension allows investigators to assess the aircraft’s position, conduct runway safety inspections, and begin the process of determining the cause of the incident. Heavy rainfall at the time of landing is believed to have played a significant role, but officials have not ruled out other contributing factors such as runway surface conditions, braking performance, or pilot decision-making.
The temporary closure has caused significant disruption to flight schedules. Several inbound flights have been diverted to alternate airports, including Katowice and Warsaw, while outbound flights have been delayed or canceled. Passengers have been advised to check with their airlines for updated travel information, as recovery operations and subsequent investigations may affect the timeline for the airport’s reopening.
A spokesperson for Kraków Airport released a statement reassuring the public that safety remains the airport’s top concern:
“While this incident has understandably caused disruption to travel, the most important outcome is that all passengers and crew are safe. We are cooperating fully with aviation authorities and investigators to determine the circumstances surrounding the runway excursion.”
Runway excursions, while relatively rare, are among the most common types of landing-related incidents worldwide. Aviation experts note that wet or contaminated runways, combined with reduced visibility and poor braking conditions, often present significant challenges to pilots during landing.
As the investigation continues, both Enter Air and AirExplore are expected to assist aviation safety authorities in reviewing flight data recorders, crew reports, and weather information. Until the airport reopens, travelers and airlines alike must navigate the logistical challenges of diversions and delays, underscoring the wide-reaching impact of even non-injury aviation incidents.
