On Mar 27th 2026, a potentially dangerous runway incursion was narrowly avoided when an easyJet Europe Airbus A320-200, registration OE-INL, operating flight U2-4119 from Naples to Milan Malpensa Airport, lined up for departure—only for the crew to spot an unexpected vehicle on the runway.
The aircraft had been taxiing for departure to runway 24 and was cleared for takeoff by air traffic control. After lining up on the runway, the flight crew noticed a car still present on the active runway, prompting an immediate halt before initiating the takeoff roll.
The unexpected sight of a vehicle in the departure path created a serious hazard, but the crew’s vigilance ensured the situation did not escalate further. The car subsequently vacated the runway, clearing the way for a safe departure.
Once the runway was confirmed clear, the aircraft departed normally and continued to Milan, where it landed without further incident.
Italy’s Agenzia Nazionale per la Sicurezza del Volo has classified the occurrence as a serious incident and opened an investigation. Authorities will examine how the vehicle came to be on an active runway during a takeoff clearance and whether procedural or communication breakdowns contributed to the lapse.
Runway incursions remain one of the most critical risks in aviation, and this incident highlights how even a single unexpected presence on the runway can rapidly develop into a potentially catastrophic situation—averted in this case by sharp situational awareness in the cockpit.
