BUDAPEST– Wild winter weather, including heavy freezing rain and black ice, caused significant operational disruption at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD) on January 13, 2026.
Ethiopian Airlines (ET) flight ET3707, operated by a Boeing 777F freighter, skidded off the icy taxiway and came to rest in a grassy verge beside Taxiway A6. The unexpected excursion occurred amid heightened winter response operations and led to flight delays and temporary closures across central European hubs.
Ethiopian Airlines 777 Taxiway Excursion
The Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight ET 3707 arrived from Hong Kong (HKG) early on January 13, 2026. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft maintained a routine cruise before descending into BUD under deteriorating winter conditions.
Upon touchdown, the flight was ahead of schedule, but once it began taxiing toward its designated stand, the 777F lost traction on black ice.
The nose gear slid off the paved surface, and the aircraft became stuck in the grass. No injuries were reported, and airport operators initiated recovery efforts immediately. Crew on the ground activated snow and ice removal equipment around runways, taxiways, and aprons in response to the extreme conditions.
Budapest Airport Response
Budapest Airport staff and contracted crews worked continuously to clear ice and snow, employing an extensive fleet of snow removal vehicles and de-icing materials.
The airport confirmed that operations resumed normal service after weather conditions improved and the aircraft was removed from the grass.
Following recovery, the freighter was unloaded and later operated a scheduled cargo service to Oslo on the evening of the same day. The incident remains under investigation by relevant aviation authorities to establish precise causal factors and to evaluate preventive measures.
Aircraft and Operator Information
The Boeing 777F involved, registered ET-BAA, is a relatively new addition to Ethiopian Airlines’ cargo fleet, delivered in late 2023. The airline operates one of Africa’s largest cargo networks and uses a mix of Boeing freighters to serve global trade routes.
Investigation teams from the airport and aviation safety bodies will analyze environmental, operational, and technical data to determine how the icy conditions contributed to the taxiway excursion. No injuries or significant structural damage have been publicly confirmed at this time.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boeing_777-F6N_(Ethiopian_Cargo_ET-APS).jpg
Bottom Line
A combination of severe winter weather and localized black ice led to a cargo aircraft skidding off a taxiway at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport.
Although the runway closure disrupted flights and caused operational delays, safety protocols ensured there were no injuries, and normal service resumed after icy conditions improved.
Continued investigation aims to refine safety procedures for operations in extreme weather.
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