Operations disrupted at Geneva Airport
Air traffic – A large fire broke out near Geneva Airport late Friday afternoon. Because of the heavy smoke, take-offs and landings were no longer possible for an hour and a half.
According to Nicolas Millot, spokesman for the fire and rescue service, the fire broke out on the construction site of the future federal asylum center and not in the airport building, he told the Keystone-SDA news agency. The fire brigade was deployed with a large contingent. Deflagration could be heard and a thick column of black smoke could be seen.
The take-offs and landings were no longer possible from 5.35 p.m., as airport spokesman Ignace Jeannerat told the German Press Agency. After the fire was under control, part of the air traffic could be resumed at 7 p.m.
However, from this point on, the planes only took off for the time being. Landings were displayed for half an hour longer, as the airport announced on Twitter. From 7.30 p.m. the planes were able to land again in Geneva.
According to a preliminary initial balance sheet tweeted by Geneva Airport, at least eleven flights had to be canceled and eleven other scheduled flights and three private flights diverted to other airports because of the fire. Other flights experienced major delays.