Two easyJet flights took off from the wrong runway points at the height of last year’s summer season, a new report has revealed.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said an Airbus A320-214 departed from further down the runway at London Luton than the crew had planned on 13 June 2025.
Flight EZY2335, which had 180 passengers and six crew members on board, landed at Málaga Costa del Sol Airport, then returned to Luton later that day before the captain realised they had made a mistake with their ‘take-off point’, the report said.
The plane was just 65ft (19m) above the ground when it cleared the runway, according to the AAIB.
Three weeks later, on 6 July 2025, an easyJet Airbus 320 departing Manchester Airport also took off from the wrong runway position.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.
The aircraft, bound for the Greek island of Kos, continued its journey without further problems.
But investigators described the event as a ‘serious safety occurrence’ that could have had more significant consequences under different circumstances.
EasyJet said it has conducted a review of its take-off operating procedures following the incident.
A spokesperson for the airline told Metro: ‘We are aware of the report and fully assisted the AAIB with its investigation.
‘We will always take action to ensure we maintain the highest standards of safety. EasyJet’s pilots are trained to the highest industry standards and the safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority.’
Earlier this year, easyJet made headlines for an unusual request.
Five passengers were asked to leave a flight departing from London’s Southend Airport for Malaga after the aircraft was deemed ‘too heavy for safe take-off’.
A spokesperson for the airport said it was not the first time it had been necessary to disembark passengers, but why does it happen?
The incident, which took place on 11 April 2026, came after final calculations showed the plane could not take off within safety limits under the prevailing wind conditions.
While such situations are rare, they highlight the complex balance of weather, physics and engineerings that underpins every commercial flight.
In this case, according to reports from the BBC, a combination of a short runway and unfavourable wind meant the aircraft could not generate enough lift at its planned weight.
One way to overcome problems is for the aircraft to travel further along the runway to give it time to reach the necessary lift.
At Southend Airport, however, this was not possible as although the runway was extended in 2012, it is still relatively short at 1,856m (6,089ft).
By comparison, Stansted Airport’s runway is 3,049m (10,003ft). Luton Airport’s is 2,162m (7,093ft).