An investigation has been opened in Belgium after a Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Airbus A320neo commenced takeoff from a taxiway rather than the airport runway.
According to Brussels Airport (BRU), the SAS flight was cleared for takeoff on February 5, 2026, at around 21:45, following a short delay, and was due to land at Copenhagen Airport (CPH) just over an hour later.
The SAS flight crew were cleared for takeoff from runway 07R but mistakenly positioned the aircraft on taxiway E1, which runs parallel to the airport runway.
ADS-B data taken from Flightradar24 recorded the Airbus A320neo, registered SE-ROM, at just over 120mph when the pilot rejected the takeoff from the taxiway.
ADS-B data suggests that SAS flight #SK2590 attempted a take off from a taxiway at Brussels Airport, reaching a top speed of 107 kts before stopping. pic.twitter.com/9ymCbaXhJK
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 5, 2026
“The takeoff of a Scandinavian Airlines aircraft (SK2590) was interrupted last night, because the aircraft was on the taxiway instead of on the runway,” a spokesperson for Brussels Airport told AeroTime.
According to the Aviation Herald, the pilot was able to stop the aircraft, which had 165 passengers on board, at the intersection of taxiways V1/C1 just before the end of the taxiway.
An aviation expert who spoke with local news website Nieuwsblad suggested that the runway where the incident happened was rarely used, but had been pressed into service recently due to easterly winds.
Brussels Airport confirmed that no one was injured during the incident and that the Federal Police provided psychological support on site.
“Scandinavian Airlines contacted the affected passengers to offer alternative solutions, since they could no longer travel to their destination yesterday,” added the Brussels Airport spokesperson.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU), which falls under the authority of the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport, has launched an investigation into the incident.
In a separate statement released to AeroTime, SAS said: “The departure in question was interrupted due to an irregularity. In aviation, safety is never compromised. Airlines, airports, and air traffic control are accustomed to operating in time-critical environments and are trained to manage this safely. As per standard procedures, an investigation has been launched.”
The Air Accident Investigation Unit also provided AeroTime with a statement which said: “The “why” is being investigated at the moment within an official safety investigation. The goal of this investigation is to formulate safety recommandations in order to improve aviation safety and to prevent similar incidents in the future. The investigation will not determine administrative, civil or judicial responsibilities.”
“To be able to come to these recommendations, the AAIU will collect and analyze all relevant data, including radar images, audio recordings, techological and meteorological informations and witness accounts,” the statement added.