Severe winter weather in Finnish Lapland disrupted holiday travel on Saturday afternoon when a Swiss International Air Lines aircraft slid into a snowbank while taxiing at Kittilä Airport, a busy gateway to northern Finland’s ski resorts.

No injuries were reported among the roughly 150 passengers and crew on board, but the incident, along with a similar slide by a smaller business jet, forced a major emergency response and triggered flight cancellations and diversions at the height of the winter tourism season.

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Swiss A220 Slides Off Taxiway in Heavy Snow and Strong Winds

The primary incident occurred shortly after 16:00 local time on December 27, 2025, as Swiss flight LX8904 from Geneva completed its landing at Kittilä Airport.

The aircraft, an Airbus A220-300 registered HB-JCM, had already faced challenging conditions in the air and reportedly circled the airport before being cleared to land on runway 34 amid blowing snow and strong crosswinds.

After what was described as a controlled landing, the jet began taxiing at very low speed toward the terminal when powerful wind gusts combined with extremely slippery surfaces pushed the aircraft off taxiway T and into accumulated snow.

The nose and main landing gear remained intact, and there were no reports of fire or structural damage, but the aircraft became stuck and unable to move under its own power.

Passengers remained on board as ground crews and emergency services assessed the situation. The aircraft required towing back to a safe position, an operation slowed by the same weather conditions that caused the incident.

Early indications suggested that the aircraft would not be able to operate its planned return service to Geneva, leading to schedule disruptions for Swiss and its customers.

Second Aircraft Also Ends Up in Snowbank Under Similar Conditions

Within a short time of the Swiss jet’s excursion, a second incident occurred involving a JetBee-operated Nextant 400XT business jet arriving from Prague. The smaller aircraft also slid off a taxiway into a snowbank while maneuvering on the ground in the same stormy conditions. Fewer than ten passengers were on board the business jet.

Authorities confirmed that the two aircraft never came into contact with one another and that both incidents took place on separate parts of the airfield. As with the Swiss A220, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew on the smaller jet, underscoring that the primary risk on the day stemmed from airfield conditions rather than an airborne emergency.

The near-simultaneous nature of the two taxiway excursions nonetheless raised concerns about the severity of the weather and the difficulty of maintaining adequate braking action and lateral control on contaminated surfaces, even at low speeds. It also highlighted the strain that winter storms can place on both regional airports and airline operations, particularly during peak holiday travel periods.

Emergency Response and Airport Closure in Finnish Lapland

Shortly after the Swiss aircraft left the taxiway, a major air traffic accident alert was issued, prompting a substantial deployment of local emergency resources.

According to Finnish authorities, up to ten rescue units responded to the scene, including airport fire and rescue services, municipal fire brigades, medical teams and police. Their first priority was to secure both aircraft, verify the absence of injuries and ensure that no fuel leaks or fire risks were present.

With two aircraft disabled in snowbanks on or near taxi routes, Kittilä Airport’s operations were effectively constrained. Air traffic was temporarily suspended while emergency vehicles occupied the movement area and teams worked to stabilize and recover the aircraft.

Arriving flights were diverted or forced to return to their points of departure, while departing flights from Kittilä faced growing delays as the situation unfolded.

The airport operator confirmed that while the incidents were serious from an operational and safety management standpoint, they did not result in direct harm to passengers or crew.

Authorities emphasized that the decision to close or restrict the airport was a precautionary measure aimed at preventing further incidents while the combination of strong crosswinds and poor surface conditions persisted.

Challenging Weather: Strong Crosswinds, Snow and Poor Braking

Weather data and eyewitness reports from Kittilä on Saturday afternoon painted a picture of highly challenging winter conditions. Northerly winds were reported at storm force, with gusts reaching approximately 41 knots, or around 75 to 80 kilometers per hour.

Blowing and drifting snow further reduced visibility and complicated ground operations, while temperatures hovered near freezing, a range particularly prone to creating slushy, icy surfaces.

The runway was described as fully covered with wet snow and ice in places, with de-icing chemicals applied but only partially effective against the combination of fresh snowfall and strong winds.

Braking action was reported as reduced, particularly on taxiways and apron areas where compacted snow and ice, along with vehicle tracks, can create unpredictable patches of grip and slipperiness.

These conditions meant pilots had to taxi at minimal speeds and rely heavily on differential braking and steering to maintain control, with very little margin if sudden gusts or gusty crosswinds struck at the wrong moment.

Aviation safety specialists note that while aircraft and airports in northern regions are designed to operate in winter weather, bursts of wind and rapidly changing surface conditions can still lead to excursions even when crews follow procedures and exercise caution.

Passenger Experience: Disruptions, Diversions and Long Delays

The weather-related incidents at Kittilä had an immediate impact on travelers heading to and from Finnish Lapland, a region that sees a surge in visitors during the Christmas and New Year period.

Passengers on board the Swiss A220 reported waiting as the aircraft remained stuck and emergency vehicles converged around it. While the cabin environment remained calm, uncertainty over the duration of the delay and the ultimate fate of their onward journeys added to stress for many travelers.

Elsewhere, an airBaltic aircraft that had already landed at Kittilä was reportedly forced to wait on the apron for an extended period as ground operations slowed to a crawl amid the storm.

Another flight, operated by Finnair between Helsinki and Kittilä, was unable to complete its approach and returned to the Finnish capital. Some passengers on other services were diverted to alternate airports in Finland and left waiting for updated information on rebookings or potential onward travel once conditions improved.

Inside the terminal building, arriving and departing passengers faced crowded halls, long waits for baggage and rebooking assistance, and ongoing announcements about delays linked to weather and the earlier taxiway excursions.

For many international visitors heading to popular ski resorts and winter activity destinations around Levi and Ylläs, the disruptions meant late arrivals or missed connections to onward ground transport.

Finavia and Airline Statements Emphasize Safety Over Schedule

Finnish airport operator Finavia confirmed that no passengers or crew members were injured in either the Swiss or JetBee incidents and attributed both events to exceptionally difficult weather conditions rather than mechanical failure.

The company stressed that safety protocols functioned as intended, with swift activation of emergency plans, rapid deployment of rescue services and immediate assessment of the airfield before any decision about resuming operations.

Swiss International Air Lines said that it was working with authorities and airport personnel to understand the exact sequence of events and to support affected customers.

The airline began arranging alternative travel and accommodation for passengers whose journeys were disrupted by the incident and any resulting aircraft unavailability. Swiss reiterated that the safety of passengers and crew remains its highest priority and that operations in challenging winter environments are closely managed in accordance with international standards.

JetBee, the operator of the business jet involved in the second slide into snow, also confirmed the absence of injuries and indicated cooperation with local investigators.

While neither operator suggested any immediate changes to their flight schedules beyond the necessary diversions and cancellations, both acknowledged that travel to Lapland in the coming days could remain subject to sudden weather-related adjustments.

Impact on Lapland’s Winter Tourism and Regional Air Connectivity

The incidents at Kittilä occurred during one of the busiest weeks of the year for Lapland’s tourism industry. The region has invested heavily in expanding international air links, with new seasonal routes from Central Europe and increased capacity from major hubs designed to bring skiers, families and adventure travelers directly to the Arctic Circle.

Airlines from Switzerland, Germany and other European countries have added winter services to Kittilä, supplementing frequent domestic flights from Helsinki.

Saturday’s disruption underscored both the attractiveness and vulnerability of that network. While direct flights cut travel time and make weekend or short-break trips more feasible, they also concentrate passenger flows through relatively small airports that can be heavily affected by local weather patterns.

A single closure or series of diversions in Kittilä can ripple quickly through connecting flights, hotel bookings and ground transport services across the region.

Local tourism organizations and municipalities are likely to review contingency planning around such events, including communication with visitors and coordination between airlines, hotels and tour operators.

Nevertheless, winter storms are a well-known part of Lapland’s climate, and industry stakeholders generally emphasize that aviation and tourism systems are built with such disruptions in mind, even if they remain highly inconvenient for those caught in the middle of their holiday journeys.

Ongoing Investigation and Focus on Runway and Taxiway Conditions

Finnish authorities are expected to analyze the circumstances of both incidents in detail, including weather reports, air traffic control recordings and data from the aircraft involved.

Particular attention will likely be paid to the condition of the taxiways and apron, the timing and effectiveness of snow removal and de-icing operations and the information provided to flight crews about braking action and crosswind components.

Investigators will examine whether the reported braking coefficients accurately reflected the real-world slipperiness encountered by the aircraft and whether any additional restrictions or cautions should have been in place at the time.

They may also look at how sudden wind gusts interacted with the reduced friction of contaminated surfaces and whether aircraft weight, configuration or taxi speed played a role.

While no serious damage or injuries occurred, runway and taxiway excursions are treated by aviation regulators as significant safety events. Lessons learned from Kittilä may feed into updated guidance on winter operations, both in Finland and at other cold-weather airports, particularly as climate variability brings wider swings between snow, ice, slush and rain in northern regions.

FAQ

Q1. What exactly happened at Kittilä Airport on December 27, 2025?
On the afternoon of December 27, 2025, a Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A220 and a smaller business jet each slid off taxiways into snowbanks at Kittilä Airport in northern Finland during severe winter weather, prompting an emergency response and flight disruptions but causing no injuries.

Q2. Were any passengers or crew injured in these incidents?
No injuries were reported on either aircraft. All passengers and crew members were safely accounted for, and emergency services confirmed that medical treatment was not required.

Q3. Which Swiss aircraft was involved and where was it flying from?
The aircraft was a Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A220-300 operating flight LX8904 from Geneva to Kittilä, carrying around 150 passengers for winter holidays in Finnish Lapland.

Q4. Why did the aircraft slide into the snowbank if it had already landed safely?
The landing itself was completed successfully, but while taxiing at low speed strong crosswinds and extremely slippery taxiway conditions caused by snow and ice reduced friction and pushed the aircraft sideways off the paved surface into accumulated snow.

Q5. How bad were the weather and runway conditions at the time?
Reports from the airport indicated storm-force northerly winds with gusts over 40 knots, blowing and drifting snow, near-freezing temperatures and contaminated surfaces with wet snow and ice, all of which significantly degraded braking action on the runway and taxiways.

Q6. Was Kittilä Airport closed after the incidents?
Air traffic at Kittilä was severely disrupted for several hours. Operations were partially or fully suspended while emergency services attended to the two aircraft and until authorities were satisfied that conditions allowed for safe movements on the airfield.

Q7. How were other flights and passengers affected?
Several flights experienced long delays, diversions or returns to their departure airports. Some aircraft that had already landed had to wait on the apron, and passengers inside the terminal faced crowded conditions and extended waits for baggage and rebooking assistance.

Q8. Are authorities investigating whether any operational mistakes were made?
Finnish aviation authorities are expected to review weather data, runway condition reports, air traffic communications and aircraft records to understand the full context of the incidents, including whether procedures, reporting or operational decisions need adjustment.

Q9. Does this incident mean Kittilä is unsafe for winter flying?
Kittilä, like other airports in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, is designed to operate in winter weather and handles such conditions routinely. The incidents highlight that extreme combinations of wind and surface contamination can occasionally exceed normal margins, but they do not in themselves indicate systemic unsafety.

Q10. What should travelers heading to Lapland do in the coming days?
Travelers are advised to monitor airline notifications closely, allow extra time and flexibility in their plans, and be prepared for potential delays or schedule changes if stormy weather persists, while relying on official airline and airport updates for the latest information on their flights.