A Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Kalamata International Airport in Greece was involved in an incident on Thursday after one of its wings hit a fence while the aircraft was taxiing on the runway.
Ryanair crash at Kalamata International Airport: Here’s what happened
According to Ryanair, the aircraft had landed safely but sustained damage when the wingtip struck metal bars on the side of the airport taxiway.
The incident occurred shortly after the Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft, operating as Flight FR6080, touched down in southern Greece. A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed:
“The wing tip came in contact with a fence at Kalamata Airport. The aircraft subsequently continued to stand, and passengers disembarked normally.”
Airport emergency teams responded immediately after the impact. Although initial concerns were raised about the possibility of a fire or further hazards, passengers were instructed to remain in their seats while checks were carried out to ensure safety on board.
Emergency responders verified that there was no risk to the cabin, and all passengers exited the plane without injuries.
The aircraft underwent a standard round of inspections and required maintenance after the winglet—the small, upward-curved extension at the end of the wing—was visibly damaged.
This part of the plane plays a role in improving aerodynamic performance and fuel efficiency. Ryanair confirmed that the plane would only return to service after passing all required checks.
Despite the damage, the incident did not disrupt other scheduled flights at Kalamata International Airport. The airline reassured travellers that their safety remained the top priority.
“Safety is our number one concern, and the aircraft will only return to operations once fully inspected and deemed safe,” the spokesperson added.
Adverse weather conditions were reported during the plane’s arrival, but Ryanair has not yet specified whether this played a direct role in the aircraft’s wing making contact with the fence.
There have been no reports of investigations by aviation authorities at this stage. However, it is standard procedure for local or national civil aviation regulators to review such incidents, especially when there is structural damage to an aircraft.
This is not the first time an aircraft has been involved in ground incidents involving perimeter obstacles, which sometimes occur due to narrow taxiways or limited visibility.
As of now, Ryanair has not issued further details about whether the flight schedule would be affected by the damaged plane or if passengers would receive any compensation.