On August 17, 2024, a Swiss International Air Lines Boeing 777-300ER encountered a significant issue after diverting to Astana, Kazakhstan due to a medical emergency. The flight, operating as LX161 from Tokyo to Zurich, was carrying 319 passengers and 18 crew members when it landed safely but soon ran into trouble. As the aircraft touched down, it veered off the runway and became stuck in the muddy grass beside it.
According to Swiss International Air Lines, the landing itself was routine. However, since the taxiway was closed, the crew had to maneuver the aircraft 180 degrees on the runway. Unfortunately, the nose wheel of the plane sank into the soft ground, making it immobile until it could be towed back onto the runway. This incident prevented the aircraft from continuing its journey, stranding passengers overnight in Astana.
Photos shared on social media revealed that the stranded aircraft, registered as HB-JNI, had been in service with Swiss since January 2018. The airline operates a fleet of twelve Boeing 777-300ERs. To assist the stranded passengers, Austrian Airlines, a sister company within the Lufthansa Group, sent a Boeing 777-200 to Astana the following day. This flight transported the 331 passengers and crew to Vienna, where they were scheduled to continue their journey to Zurich on another Swiss flight.
In response to the incident, Swiss International Air Lines organized a task force to handle the situation, which included specialists from various departments. Although the airline does not have a base in Astana, they worked to address the situation as swiftly as possible. Swiss technicians, along with Boeing and local authorities, inspected the aircraft for any damage. Once this inspection is complete, a new crew is set to fly the aircraft back to Zurich.
The mishap also had a ripple effect on Swiss International Air Lines’ operations. The airline had to cancel its flights to and from Los Angeles on August 18 due to a shortage of available aircraft. Additionally, flights to Bangkok experienced delays, and the Sao Paulo service was postponed by a day. Swiss continues to prioritize minimizing the disruption to its passengers and restoring normal operations as quickly as possible.