Two Passenger Planes Collide At New Chitose Airport In Japan

A collision between aircraft from Korean Air and Cathay Pacific Airways took place on the ground at Sapporo New Chitose Airport in Japan. The incident occurred amidst severe snowfall in the region.

A spokesman for Korean Air said, "A Korean Air aircraft came into contact with a Cathay aircraft during pushback at New Chitose Sapporo Airport when the third-party ground handler vehicle slipped due to heavy snow."

Korean Air and Cathay Pacific Airways aircraft collide on the ground at Japans Sapporo New Chitose Airport. The incident occurred during heavy snowfall in the area. pic.twitter.com/gxkVlaKCda

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) January 16, 2024

However, there were no injuries and the airline is cooperating with all relevant authorities.

In snowy conditions,A Korean Air Airbus A330 aircraft wing has hit the Cathay Pacific B777 aircraft APU compartment,Horizontal stabilizer and Rudder in a ground collision at Hokkaidos Shin-Chitose Airport at around 5:30 on the 16th january. No injuries have been reported so far. pic.twitter.com/4IlPUZ59JN

— FL360aero (@fl360aero) January 16, 2024

According to the fire department, a Cathay Pacific aircraft, stationary on the tarmac, was struck by a Korean Air Lines plane in motion at approximately 5:30 p.m. It said the Korean Air A330 was taxiing past the Cathay plane. Korean Air said its plane had clipped the Cathay aircraft as it was preparing for take-off.

Japanese media outlets reported on Tuesday that two passenger planes collided at New Chitose Airport in the northernmost Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido.

As per the airport's official statement, New Chitose Airport is currently facing disruptions in flight schedules today due to severe snowfall, leading to both delays and cancellations. A total of 46 flights have been canceled.

This incident happened closely on the heels of another incident, transpiring just two weeks ago, wherein a Japan Airlines plane collided with a coastguard aircraft at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, resulting in the tragic loss of five lives.