An EasyJet arrival at Paris-Orly Airport was forced to perform an emergency go-around on Sunday afternoon after a wedding procession on a nearby roadway launched a barrage of mortar fireworks toward the runway.
PARIS – The incident occurred on April 5, 2026, at approximately 5:40 p.m. as Flight OE-ICR, an Airbus A320-214, was on its final approach to Runway 25.
Chaos on the Ground
According to local authorities and witness reports, a convoy of approximately 15 vehicles, including luxury cars and quads, was traveling near the airport perimeter as part of a wedding celebration. As the aircraft descended, members of the procession began firing “mortar-style” fireworks into the air.
The captain of the EasyJet flight reported observing “light smoke bombs or fireworks” in the immediate vicinity of the assigned runway. A video captured by a bystander and handed over to the Air Transport Gendarmerie (GTA) reportedly shows a dozen distinct mortar shots exploding near the flight path, creating a thick shroud of smoke.
Safety Measures and Response
In accordance with standard safety protocols, the flight crew immediately aborted the landing. The aircraft climbed back to a safe altitude to avoid the smoke and potential debris before being vectored to an alternative runway.
“The fireworks in question did not hit the aircraft,” a spokesperson for EasyJet stated. “They simply forced the pilot to go around to land on another runway. At no time was the safety of the passengers on board compromised.”
Investigation Underway
While the aircraft landed safely minutes later, the incident has sparked a serious investigation by the GTA. Targeting an aircraft with pyrotechnics—regardless of intent—carries heavy legal penalties in France, including potential prison time for “endangering the lives of others” and interfering with air traffic.
Incident Summary:
- Date: Sunday, April 5, 2026
- Time: ~5:40 p.m.
- Aircraft: Airbus A320-214 (OE-ICR)
- Flight: U24874
- Location: Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), Runway 25
- Cause: Mortar fire from a wedding procession (12+ cars and quads)
- Outcome: Successful go-around; no injuries reported
Authorities are currently using the witness footage and traffic cameras to identify the license plates of the vehicles involved in the procession. No arrests have been confirmed as of Sunday evening.
