A pilot on an EasyJet flight was forced to abandon his landing at a major European airport after spotting smoke close to the runway. The incident unfolded around 5.40pm on Easter Sunday (April 5), creating confusion for air‑traffic controllers.

The passenger plane, arriving from Venice in Italy, had been preparing to touch down on runway 3 at Paris Orly when smoke at ground level prompted the pilot to climb away and perform a “go around” on arrival at the airport. EasyJet said this was due to “perceived fireworks in the vicinity of the runway”. The airline said the “go around”, performed as a “precaution”, is in line with its proceedures, and the flight landed safely, also making clear “at no point was the safety of the passengers onboard compromised”. The pilot is understood to have performed this move after observing that appeared to be light fumes or fireworks near their allocated runway for landing.

In a statement, EasyJet said: “EasyJet can confirm that the captain of flight EJU4874 from Venice to Paris Orly on April 5 elected to perform a routine ‘go around’ on arrival into Orly due to perceived fireworks in the vicinity of the runway.

“EasyJet’s pilots are highly trained in order to perform ‘go arounds’ as a precaution and in line with our procedures and the flight landed normally. At no point was the safety of the passengers onboard compromised.

“The safety and well-being of its passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority.”

Several individuals were reportedly spotted at the junction of Rue Lamartine and Rue du 8‑Mai‑1945 in Villeneuve‑le‑Roi (Val‑de‑Marne), not far from the Staf transport company’s warehouse.

Air traffic controllers closed runway 3 and were forced to use runway 4, which is normally used for takeoffs. However, the decision was made due to the circumstances to allow the EasyJet flight to land on runway 4.

The Air Transport Gendarmerie (GTA) sent a patrol to the scene following the fireworks incident. After reviewing video footage provided by a witness, authorities determined that the fireworks originated from a wedding convoy made up of around fifteen vehicles.

According to the prosecutor’s office, only “a sedan and several individuals firing mortar‑style fireworks into the air” were officially noted.

However, officials have not yet identified any suspects in regards to the incident. The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) and police are currently investigating.