Griffon Vulture Halts Ryanair Flight on Crete
Unusual incident at Heraklion airport: firefighters safely removed a large bird of prey that refused to move.
Unusual incident at Heraklion airport: firefighters safely removed a large bird of prey that refused to move.
At Nikos Kazantzakis Airport in Heraklion, on Sunday evening, August 16, 2026, an unusual event occurred. A griffon vulture landed on the tail of a Ryanair plane that was ready for takeoff. The bird refused to leave its spot, prompting firefighters to respond urgently.
The firefighting crew from the second station at Heraklion airport reached the runway and managed to approach the bird cautiously. The vulture was removed without injury, and the aircraft was then cleared for takeoff. Had the plane moved or taken off while the bird was on the tail, it could have led to dangerous consequences for both passengers and the animal. After the bird was removed, all necessary checks were carried out before the flight resumed.
The public learned about this incident thanks to a post on the local Facebook page Dia-SOS-te ti Messara. Firefighter Antonis Petrakis shared information and footage of the intervention, showing the massive bird sitting calmly on the plane's tail as staff approached cautiously. The photos were taken by Petrakis and published by the aforementioned local page.
Although the sight of a bird on a passenger plane seems unusual, an animal of that size can pose a serious threat to aviation safety. Firefighters acted quickly, mindful of both flight safety and the vulture's well-being. From the second fire station at Heraklion Airport, they went out onto the runway and successfully approached the bird, removing it without harm.
Crete is known as home to the world's largest island population of griffon vultures. Over a thousand of these birds live in the island's rugged mountains and gorges. Locals call them "natural cleaners" because they play a vital role in the ecosystem: they dispose of dead livestock and help prevent the spread of disease. Griffon vultures can have a wingspan of over two meters, making them impressive but also potentially dangerous near aircraft.
Runway encounters are very rare, reports Greek Reporter. The AFP agency and photographer Jaime Reina also covered the story of the unexpected guest that briefly halted air traffic on Crete.
Due to traditional open-range livestock farming, these protected birds are a common sight in the skies above Crete, but encounters with them on airport runways are extremely rare. Firefighting teams quickly cleared the aircraft's tail section, ensuring flight safety and the bird's well-being. Only after that was the plane cleared to continue its journey.
