Ryanair Boeing Plane Catches Fire on Runway in Italy
On Thursday, October 3, 2024, a Ryanair Boeing 737-800 passenger jet caught fire while taxiing for takeoff at Brindisi Airport in southern Italy. The incident resulted in the evacuation of all 184 passengers and crew members. The fire was sparked by an issue with the engine, and emergency responders quickly extinguished the flames.
The flight, destined for Turin, was delayed after cabin crew noticed smoke outside the aircraft. Passengers were safely disembarked and taken back to the terminal by bus. A replacement aircraft was brought in to continue the flight to Turin later that day, departing at 13:39 local time and arriving at 15:03, representing a delay of over five hours.
The airport was temporarily closed, and all flights in and out of Brindisi were suspended as authorities investigated the cause of the fire. This incident follows a tire blowout on another Ryanair Boeing during landing at Milan Bergamo Airport the previous day, which also led to a brief closure of the airport.
Italian lawmakers have demanded an investigation into Ryanair’s safety protocols, citing multiple previous incidents involving the airline. The National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) is currently investigating the two recent incidents, including the engine fire at Brindisi Airport.
