Flights suspended at Split Airport for the second time in 24 hours: Tire bursts on plane during landing

Split Airport experienced a second suspension of air traffic within a 24-hour period on Saturday, this time due to a tire burst on an Iberia Airlines Airbus upon landing. The incident occurred at 4:22 PM on flight IB0945 arriving from Madrid. The plane came to a halt on the runway, preventing further operations. Airport spokesperson Mate Melvan confirmed the event to Slobodna Dalmacija. All 172 passengers and six crew members aboard the aircraft were safely disembarked and directed to the terminal. Airport authorities are currently working to remove the aircraft and restore normal service.

This latest disruption adds to the challenges faced by one of Croatia's busiest airports during the peak tourist season. The previous evening, air traffic was halted for nearly two hours due to the reappearance of a drone near the runway. That incident led to the cancellation and rerouting of several flights, causing significant congestion in the passenger terminal.

The dual incidents highlight security and operational concerns at the airport. While no injuries were reported in either event, the repeated suspensions disrupt travel plans for numerous passengers and impact the airport's efficiency during its busiest months. The removal of the aircraft and the ongoing efforts to ensure runway safety are critical for resuming regular operations.

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After landing, the tire on the front landing gear burst, causing the aircraft to remain stopped on the runway.