Vilnius, November 28 - In a startling aviation incident that sent ripples through Europe's travel network, Vilnius International Airport, the bustling gateway to Lithuania's vibrant capital, faced a sudden shutdown on November 26, 2025, after a LOT Polish Airlines Embraer E170 veered off the taxiway moments after touchdown. Flight LO771, en route from Warsaw Chopin Airport with 63 passengers and four crew aboard, had just completed its descent at 13:43 local time when the aircraft skidded into the snowy grass bordering the runway. Eyewitness accounts from the scene described a tense but orderly evacuation, with mobile stairs swiftly deployed to usher everyone to safety amid swirling flurries. This Vilnius Airport closure, triggered by the LOT Polish Airlines runway excursion, underscored the perils of winter flying in the Baltic region, where heavy snow had blanketed the tarmac just hours earlier, turning a routine landing into a high-stakes drama.
The immediate aftermath unfolded with precision and urgency, as airport emergency teams, including fire crews and technical specialists, rushed to the north side of the airfield, where the stricken jet came to rest. No injuries were reported, a testament to the swift response and the aircraft's robust design, but the incident halted all takeoffs and landings, stranding thousands of travelers in Vilnius Airport's terminals. LOT Polish Airlines swiftly canceled the return flight LO772 to Warsaw, while ground crews assessed the Embraer's undercarriage for damage and cleared the taxiway of slush and debris. Lithuania's Hydrometeorological Service had issued stark warnings the previous day about freezing temperatures and accumulating snow, conditions that likely reduced runway friction and contributed to the skid. As news of the LOT aircraft off-runway slide spread, airlines like Ryanair and Lufthansa issued advisories, rerouting flights to nearby Riga or Tallinn, amplifying the chaos for holiday-bound passengers eyeing Vilnius's festive Christmas markets.
Vilnius Airport's operational pause, initially projected to last until 17:00 but extended into the evening, highlighted the intricate dance between safety protocols and air traffic demands at one of Eastern Europe's key hubs. Investigators from Lithuania's Justice Ministry convened an emergency commission, probing factors from de-icing procedures to pilot inputs during the final taxi phase. The Embraer E170, a workhorse for regional routes, was towed back under floodlights by 03:55 the next morning, allowing flights to resume amid lingering frost. This episode in aviation safety serves as a stark reminder for winter travelers: monitoring weather alerts and building buffer time into itineraries can mitigate the disruptions from such unforeseen runway incidents.
As Vilnius Airport returns to normalcy, the LOT Polish Airlines mishap reinforces the resilience of modern air travel, where quick evacuations and collaborative recoveries turn potential tragedies into footnotes. For those plotting Baltic adventures, this incident spotlights the allure and the edge of flying into snow-dusted destinations like Vilnius, where history meets harsh winters. With operations now fluid, the airport invites passengers to rediscover its efficient gates and cultural proximity, proving that even a temporary closure can't dim the city's enduring appeal.