DUBLIN— A brand-new Boeing 737 MAX operated by Ryanair (FR) was evacuated at Krakow Airport (KRK) after smoke was reported in the cockpit and cabin. The aircraft, delivered just 12 days earlier, had been taxiing for departure to Bristol (BRS) when the crew ordered an emergency evacuation.
All passengers exited safely via emergency slides, with no injuries reported. The Boeing 737-8200 aircraft was towed back to its stand, and flight operations at the airport resumed shortly after, according to officials.
Ryanair 737 MAX Passengers Evacuated
Ryanair flight FR5519 from Krakow (KRK) to Bristol (BRS) was preparing for takeoff around 10:30 a.m. on October 12 when the incident occurred.
The Captain reportedly detected smoke in the cockpit and cabin, prompting an immediate evacuation order while the plane was still on the taxiway.
The aircraft involved, a Boeing 737-8200, is part of Ryanair’s new high-density fleet. Delivered on September 30, 2025, directly from Boeing’s Renton facility in Washington, it can seat up to 197 passengers—significantly more than the standard 162-seat Boeing 737 MAX 8 configuration. According to PYOK, the aircraft had completed only a few operational flights since delivery.
Airport authorities confirmed that emergency services responded promptly, and the aircraft was inspected on-site before being returned to the gate.
Investigations are underway to determine the source of the smoke smell. Ryanair has not yet issued an official statement on the incident.
Aircraft Background and Fleet Details
The Boeing 737-8200 model was developed specifically for Ryanair, offering increased capacity and improved fuel efficiency.
It’s the same model that marked the airline’s major post-MAX-grounding fleet renewal. The “8200” designation started appearing on Ryanair’s aircraft after Boeing’s 737 MAX family was recertified to fly in 2021, following the global grounding caused by two fatal crashes involving other airlines.
Ryanair remains Boeing’s largest 737 MAX customer in Europe, with hundreds of the model on order.
Similar Incident
This isn’t the first time Ryanair has faced a large-scale evacuation. In July, 18 passengers were injured during an emergency evacuation at Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI).
That incident was later traced to a false cockpit alert, yet several passengers suffered serious injuries after jumping from the wings to the tarmac.
While no passengers were harmed in the recent Krakow event, the incident highlights the critical need for calmness and coordination during evacuations, especially when alerts turn out to be false or result from minor technical issues.
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