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Two Men Arrested After Smashing Emergency Glass and Running Onto Cologne/Bonn Tarmac to Catch Flight

11:54 PM, 11/24/2025

Two Men Arrested After Smashing Emergency Glass and Running Onto Cologne/Bonn Tarmac to Catch Flight

What happened: Two Romanian men (47 and 28) were arrested after allegedly breaking the glass on an emergency switch and running onto the tarmac at Cologne/Bonn Airport to catch a departing Wizz Air flight.

Key points: They had cleared security but missed their gate; airport staff intercepted them and handed them to federal police. Authorities say aviation security and flight operations were not compromised, and criminal trespass and Aviation Security Act investigations are underway.

What happened: Two Romanian men (47 and 28) were arrested after allegedly breaking the glass on an emergency switch and running onto the tarmac at Cologne/Bonn Airport to catch a departing Wizz Air flight.

Key points: They had cleared security but missed their gate; airport staff intercepted them and handed them to federal police. Authorities say aviation security and flight operations were not compromised, and criminal trespass and Aviation Security Act investigations are underway.

Two passengers were detained at Cologne/Bonn Airport after allegedly breaking the glass covering an emergency switch and running onto the apron to reach a departing Wizz Air Airbus A321 on Nov. 21.

According to federal police, the two Romanian men — aged 47 and 28 — had passed through the airport security checkpoint but missed their departure gate. Around 9:25 p.m. local time, they were seen running across the tarmac toward the aircraft while its red flashing lights indicated it was preparing to taxi. An airport employee intercepted them before they reached the plane.

Authorities say the pair allegedly smashed the glass over an emergency release at about 9:33 p.m. and pressed the button to open a door granting access to the apron. Airport security detained the men and handed them over to federal police officers, who escorted them out of the secure area.

Police response and investigation

A federal police spokesperson said aviation security was not compromised and flight operations were not affected. Criminal investigations for trespassing have been opened, and officials are also investigating a potential violation of the Aviation Security Act.

"Unauthorized persons endanger themselves if they move around the apron area without instructions from airport personnel," a spokesperson warned, emphasizing the safety risks of entering operational areas.

Flight tracking records show the Wizz Air service to Bucharest departed about five minutes early and arrived shortly before 1 a.m. on Nov. 22. The men remain subject to the ongoing investigation and any legal action that may follow.

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