Overview
- The Air Corsica flight from Paris-Orly could not reach the tower and found the runway dark on approach to Ajaccio.
- The captain alerted airport firefighters, who in turn notified the gendarmerie, as a diversion to Bastia was considered.
- Radio contact resumed and runway lights came on around 00:35, allowing a routine touchdown, according to FlightRadar data.
- Emergency checks found the on-duty controller had nodded off while alone in the tower, with alcohol and drug tests returning negative.
- Passengers reported calm on board as the crew provided updates, and the pilot said he had never encountered such a situation in decades of flying.