Slovak Prime Minister’s aircraft damaged at Brussels Airport before EU Summit

The aircraft transporting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to an EU summit, a Slovak Government Flight Service Airbus A319CJ registered OM-BYA, was severely damaged at Brussels Airport on 17 December 2025, rendering it unfit to fly.

The government aircraft operated by Slovakia’s Interior Ministry aviation department, which transported Prime Minister Robert Fico to Brussels on 17 December, was grounded for safety reasons following an accident at Brussels Airport. According to the Interior Minister’s Office, mobile passenger stairs operated by the airport handling company struck the aircraft’s fuselage near the left front door during positioning. No crew members or passengers were injured, and the incident was not attributed to any error or negligence by the Slovak aviation department.

After consultations with technical experts, the aircraft was grounded as a precaution pending the manufacturer’s opinion and a full technical assessment. Prime Minister Fico, who confirmed earlier that the damage rendered the aircraft unfit to fly, proceeded with his scheduled participation in the European Council and EU summit meetings in Brussels. His return to Slovakia is expected by 19 December.