A frightening incident at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport in France on September 21, 2025, has raised concerns about aviation safety. An EasyJet flight preparing to take off was nearly hit by a landing Nouvelair plane, coming within just 10 feet of a collision. The close call led to the cancellation of the EasyJet flight and sparked an official investigation. Here’s a detailed look at what happened, why it matters, and what’s being done to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
1. The Near Miss Incident
On the evening of September 21, 2025, EasyJet flight U24706 was lined up on the runway at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, ready to depart for Nantes Atlantique Airport in western France. The Airbus A320-214 was waiting for clearance from air traffic control when a Nouvelair Airbus A320-214, arriving from Tunis, Tunisia, approached to land on the same runway, 04R. According to reports, the Nouvelair plane came dangerously close, passing just 10 feet above the EasyJet aircraft. Passengers on the EasyJet flight felt “strong vibrations” from the nearby plane, highlighting how close the incident was to disaster.
Flightradar24 data showed the Nouvelair plane was at an altitude of 25 to 50 feet during its approach. This was a critical error, as all arriving flights that night were assigned to land on Runway 04L, while Runway 04R was reserved for departures. The mix-up led to a heart-stopping moment that could have resulted in one of the worst aviation accidents in recent history.
2. Quick Action Prevented Disaster
Air traffic control quickly intervened, instructing the Nouvelair plane to perform a “go-around,” a maneuver where the aircraft aborts its landing and climbs back into the sky. This allowed the plane to circle around and land safely on the correct runway, 04L, at 11:49 p.m., about 15 minutes later. The swift response from air traffic control was crucial in avoiding a collision.
However, the EasyJet flight did not continue as planned. Shocked by the near miss, the EasyJet pilots chose to cancel flight U24706 and return the plane to the terminal. The flight was rescheduled for the next day due to what EasyJet called a “non-EasyJet aircraft incident.” The decision to cancel reflects the seriousness of the event and the emotional impact it had on the crew.
3. Why Did This Happen?
Preliminary reports suggest that the Nouvelair plane mistakenly approached Runway 04R instead of the assigned Runway 04L. Several factors may have contributed to this error:
- Poor Weather Conditions: Heavy rain and thunderstorms were reported in Nice that evening, with visibility below 9 kilometers. Low visibility could have made it harder for the Nouvelair pilots to identify the correct runway.
- Runway Confusion: Nice Airport has two parallel runways, 04L and 04R, which are close together. Some reports suggest that Runway 04R’s brighter LED lights may have confused the Nouvelair pilots, especially if they were unfamiliar with the airport.
- Possible Pilot or Communication Error: The investigation will look into whether the Nouvelair pilots misread instructions, if there was a communication breakdown with air traffic control, or if other navigation issues played a role.
These factors highlight the challenges of managing air traffic at busy airports, especially during bad weather.
4. Investigation Underway
The French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) has classified the incident as a “serious incident” and launched a full investigation. A team of four investigators was sent to Nice Airport on September 22 to examine the event. They are reviewing flight data, cockpit voice recorders, air traffic control communications, and interviewing the pilots of both planes. The BEA’s goal is to determine the exact cause of the near miss and recommend ways to prevent similar incidents in the future.
EasyJet has emphasized that the safety of its passengers and crew is its top priority. The airline is fully cooperating with the investigation to understand what went wrong. Nouvelair’s aircraft has been grounded, and its black boxes (flight data and voice recorders) have been seized for analysis.
5. Why This Incident Matters
This near miss is one of the closest calls between passenger jets in Europe in recent years, underscoring the importance of strict safety protocols in aviation. Runway incursions—when an aircraft is on or near a runway it shouldn’t be—are among the most dangerous risks in air travel. The incident at Nice Airport serves as a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong, even at a well-managed airport.
For passengers, the event was alarming. Those on the EasyJet flight reported hearing a “deafening roar” from the Nouvelair plane’s engines as it passed overhead. The emotional toll on the crew was evident, with one pilot reportedly in tears and others too shaken to continue the flight. This incident highlights the human side of aviation and the stress that such close calls place on pilots and passengers alike.
6. Improving Aviation Safety
The investigation’s findings will likely lead to changes in safety procedures at Nice Airport and beyond. Experts are calling for better technology, such as advanced radar and collision detection systems, to prevent runway mix-ups. Clearer communication between pilots and air traffic control, especially in poor weather, is also critical. Airports may review runway lighting and signage to reduce confusion, particularly at night or in low-visibility conditions.
This incident also draws attention to the broader issue of runway safety at busy airports. Similar near misses have occurred recently, such as one at Basel Airport two weeks earlier, where an EasyJet plane aborted takeoff to avoid another aircraft. These events show the need for constant vigilance and improvements in air traffic management.
7. What’s Next?
As the BEA continues its investigation, the aviation industry is watching closely. The findings could lead to new safety measures to protect passengers and crew. For now, EasyJet and Nouvelair are cooperating fully, and travelers can take comfort in the quick actions that prevented a tragedy. The incident is a stark reminder of the importance of precision and communication in aviation, ensuring that air travel remains one of the safest ways to get around.
