Tunisia: Investigations After Nouvelair’s Narrowly Avoided Collision in Nice
Summary:
In late September 2025, initial investigations indicated that a 21 September 2025 Nouvelair flight from Tunis to Nice, France came within several meters of hitting an easyJet plane that had pre-positioned for takeoff on the runway.
France’s Bureau d’Enquetes et d’Analyses (BEA) indicated that a safety review had been opened, calling the event a “serious incident.”
Recent reports found that the Nouvelair flight approached the incorrect runway for landing. The Nouvelair flight had been cleared to land on Nice’s runway 04R, but attempted its initial landing on runway 04L where the easyJet flight had taxied for takeoff.
Data from flightradar24 indicates that the Nouvelair flight’s altitude registered at 50 feet as it passed over the easyJet plane, which has a tail height of 38.5 feet. This data indicates that the two planes were within several meters of colliding.
Additional technical reviews are expected by multiple French and Tunisian authorities. Initial reports from airport authorities pointed to pilot error, but further investigative results are pending and will very likely take into account the adverse weather conditions at the time of the incident.
In both Tunisia and France, the incident has drawn new attention to corruption allegations against the leadership of Nouvelair’s majority shareholder, Tunisia Travel Service group.
Outlook:
With both Nouvelair and the broader airline sector in Tunisia already under some scrutiny for regular performance and customer experience issues, the incident risks a further reputational blow.
Nouvelair has been seen by many as a rising star positioned to challenge Tunisia’s national carrier, Tunisair, which has struggled with profitability, on-time performance, and customer satisfaction for years. However, this event could shake passenger confidence.
Additional investigative details, and the response from Nouvelair’s leaders, will be critical to determining both the cause of the incident and what steps should follow.
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