Croatia Airlines plane veers off runway during takeoff at Split Airport

A Croatia Airlines plane veered off the runway and onto the grass during takeoff at Split Airport on Saturday afternoon.

No injuries were reported among the 130 passengers and five crew members aboard the Frankfurt-bound Airbus A220, though the aircraft sustained minor damage.

National aviation authorities are investigating the incident. Croatia Airlines said in a statement that all passengers and crew members are safe.

“The aircraft partially skidded off the runway. The takeoff was aborted, and the aircraft veered off the runway with its left main wheels. It then came to a stop, and passengers exited the plane using stairs. All 130 passengers and five crew members are fine,” said Davor Mišić, traffic director of Croatia Airlines.

Mišić emphasized that the aircraft is relatively new, at just 11 months old, with fewer than 2,000 flight hours.

“The passengers were taken care of at Split Airport, and we sent a replacement aircraft. After the airport reopened, passengers continued their journey to their final destination,” he said.

Croatia Airlines said the aircraft involved was an Airbus A220-300 operating scheduled international flight OU412 from Split to Frankfurt on Saturday.

According to the airline, there were 130 passengers and five crew members on board, including two pilots and three cabin crew members.

“Croatia Airlines is in constant coordination with Split Airport, the relevant services, and aviation authorities. The safety of passengers and crew members is the company’s absolute priority, and more information will be released following the completion of initial professional assessments and official procedures,” the company said in a statement.