SAS A320neo Aborts Take-Off on Taxiway at Brussels Airport; Safety Probe Launched

Belgian aviation investigators have opened an urgent inquiry after a Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Airbus A320neo carrying 158 passengers mistakenly lined up on a parallel taxiway at Brussels Airport before accelerating to 127 knots and aborting take-off. The incident, which occurred in low visibility on 5 February, became public on 7 March 2026 when RTL Belgium obtained the preliminary report from Belgium’s Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU-BE). According to the report, flight SK 566 was cleared for departure from Runway 25 R at 06:52 local time but turned onto Taxiway Y, which runs parallel to the active runway. The commanding pilot initiated the take-off roll unaware of the deviation; the first officer recognised the error at high speed and called for an immediate reject. The aircraft came to a halt just 40 metres from a perimeter road. No injuries were reported and the aircraft taxied back to the gate for inspections before resuming service later that day. Investigators are focusing on three contributory factors: limited runway lighting in dense fog, a taxiway sign that had been reported missing after storm damage, and an overloaded air-traffic frequency where the clearance was issued. They will also examine cockpit ergonomics after the crew reported a brief “map shift” on the aircraft’s navigation display. The cockpit voice and flight-data recorders have been secured and a final report is expected within six months. For global mobility managers the near-miss is a reminder that **flight-safety events can trigger sudden operational changes**, including crew and aircraft re-rostering or short-notice slot restrictions while regulators conduct on-site inspections. Companies with critical same-day connections through Brussels should monitor NOTAMs and factor potential delays into itineraries. Insurers may also take a renewed interest in corporate travel-risk policies covering missed connections and duty-of-care obligations. Belgium’s Civil Aviation Authority has already ordered Brussels Airport Company to audit signage on all taxiways before the busy Easter schedule. EASA, meanwhile, has circulated a safety bulletin to EU carriers highlighting best practices for low-visibility operations and assertive crew cross-checks. With BRU acting as a hub for EU institutions and many NATO movements, sustained confidence in safety standards is essential to Belgium’s appeal as a mobility gateway.