Summary
- An Avion Express Airbus A320 has completed its first flight following a runway excursion in February.
- The incident happened at Vilnius Airport (VNO) on February 3, 2024, with the aircraft temporarily leaving the paved runway surface before returning back onto the runway and taxiing to the gate area.
- While the investigation is still ongoing, at the time, Avion Express confirmed that no passengers or crew members were injured during the incident.
An Avion Express Airbus A320ceo, which skidded off the runway at Vilnius Airport (VNO), has completed its first flight since it suffered the incident in February 2024. However, files from the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania showed that the incident investigation is still ongoing.
Back in the air following repairs
According to Flightradar24 data, the Avion Express Airbus A320ceo, registered as LY-NVL, returned back to the air on June 25, 2024, operating a flight that originated and arrived at VNO. The aircraft departed at 19:58 local time (UTC +3) and landed at the Lithuanian capital’s airport at 22:01.
Photo: Bargais | Shutterstock
The aircraft cruised at various altitudes during the more than two-hour journey over Lithuania, reaching an altitude of up to 39,000 feet (11,887 meters). At certain points during its flight over the country, it cruised at 31,000 ft (9,448 m), 35,000 ft (10,668 m), 15,000 ft (4,572 m), 13,500 ft (4,114 m), and 10,000 ft (3,048 m).
The fact that the aircraft operated its first post-incident flight following repairs was confirmed by Žilvinas Lapinskas, the chief executive officer (CEO) of FL Technics. Lapinskas affirmed the news in a Facebook group that is dedicated to discussions related to Lithuanian aviation.
Related
Watch: Avion Express Airbus A320 Suffers Temporary Runway Excursion In ViIlnius
The incident involving a charter flight from Milan took place on February 3.
Marketing the flight
In February, the Airbus A320ceo suffered a runway excursion when it landed at VNO following a flight from Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY). Flight X98242 was operated under Avion Express’ flight codes, making it unclear whether the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) and charter operator was flying the itinerary on behalf of someone.
Photo: InsectWorld | Shutterstock
According to data from the aviation analytics company Cirium, Avion Express had scheduled four flights from VNO to BGY in 2024: one in January, two in February, and one in March. The ACMI specialist was marked as the marketing airline for the four itineraries. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublikos teisingumo ministerija) marked the incident from February as a serious incident. However, the Ministry has not published a preliminary or final report about the event.
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Skidding off the runway
The subject incident happened on February 3. According to a summary by the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile, BEA), the Airbus A320ceo departed the paved surface of the runway into the grass at the side of the runway. After a few hundred meters on the grass, the aircraft returned to the paved surface and proceeded to taxi to the gate.
In a statement on Facebook on February 5, Avion Express detailed that an investigation by the airline and respective authorities has been underway to determine the probable causes of the incident. The carrier added that none of the 179 passengers and six crew members onboard the aircraft were injured during the event.
Both Avion Express and FL Technics are part of Avia Solutions Group (ASG), which is a Ireland-registered but Vilnius-based aviation services company, which includes providing such services as ACMI, cargo, charter, maintenance, ground handling, and others to airlines and companies globally.
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