Torp Airport is facing significant disruptions this Sunday after a KLM flight made an emergency landing on Saturday evening, blocking the runway and affecting thousands of passengers.
According to Tine Kleive-Mathisen, the airport's communications manager, the runway is currently closed until at least 6 PM, with about 5,000 travelers impacted by the situation. The KLM flight was en route from Oslo to Amsterdam when it encountered hydraulic issues, necessitating the emergency landing at Torp.
"The runway will remain closed as we work to remove the aircraft blocking it," Kleive-Mathisen stated, emphasizing the involvement of multiple agencies, including KLM representatives, local police, and the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority.
While initial reports indicated no injuries to the 182 passengers onboard, the impact on the schedule has been severe, with numerous flights canceled and uncertainty about future ones. Kleive-Mathisen mentioned, "We do not have full visibility yet, as airlines are still determining whether to reroute flights to Gardermoen and arrange bus transport for passengers."
The continued closure has left passengers scrambling for alternatives, with many expressing frustration at the lack of timely updates. The atmosphere at the airport has been described as hectic, as travelers faced long wait times and crowded terminals.
Pia Hauge Hjertås, who was at the airport, shared her experience: "It was chaotic—a lot of passengers, and we were just waiting for information. Fortunately, my parents could drive us to Bergen, but it felt like we were left hanging. There was little communication about what was going on, and some decisions seemed to be made after the fact."
Airport officials reassured passengers they were doing their best to mitigate the situation. "This has been quite the crisis," Kleive-Mathisen acknowledged, admitting there were challenges with communication. She affirmed, "We are working hard to minimize the consequences of this unexpected event."
A technician team from KLM is expected to arrive to assist with relocating the aircraft, which poses additional logistical challenges due to its size. The operation requires specialized equipment capable of managing the heavy aircraft, which weighs around 50 tons. Kleive-Mathisen noted, "We are collaborating closely with KLM to coordinate the removal process, but it takes time and thorough planning to execute safely."
Meanwhile, around the airport, PKLM representatives have indicated they plan to send another flight to Gardermoen later in the day to assist stranded passengers opting to continue their journeys. Gerri Brand, KLM's spokesperson, made it clear, "We understand the inconvenience and are committed to ensuring our passengers are supported throughout this situation."
The police have completed their on-site operations and have released control of the area to the KLM team and safety authorities. Fredrik Taalesen, the operations manager of the police district, reported, "The area has been secured, and we have concluded our initial assessments. The airport and KLM are now managing the next steps of the recovery process."
Håre Halvorsen from the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board confirmed their presence at the airport, stating, "We were notified of the occurrence immediately and are presently documenting the situation for our records. Our challenge lies with safely moving the aircraft without causing additional delays to the flight schedule."
Given the temporary runway closure and the need for removing the aircraft, the potential for delays is significant. Authorities recommend passengers remain updated with their airlines for real-time information.
With congested terminals and frustrated passengers, the incident has certainly left its mark this holiday season, and users of Torp Airport can only hope for timely solutions to restore normalcy as soon as possible.