Munich, Germany: An Air France Airbus A330‑200 operating flight AF565 from Beirut, Lebanon, to Paris Charles de Gaulle, France, was forced to make an emergency landing at Munich Airport on January 4, 2026, after the flight crew reported a technical issue while cruising at approximately 40,000 feet over southern Germany.
The crew transmitted a general emergency code (Squawk 7700) to air traffic control and promptly diverted to Munich as a precaution. Reports indicate that an unusual smoke or burning odor was detected in the cabin, prompting the pilots to implement standard safety protocols and prioritize the safety of passengers and crew.
The aircraft landed safely at 8:19 p.m. local time on Munich Airport’s southern runway. Fire and emergency services were deployed on standby, but no evacuation or emergency interventions were required. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.
Passengers on board described the incident as “tense but professionally managed,” with the flight crew maintaining calm and keeping passengers informed throughout the diversion. According to aviation safety experts, detecting unusual odors or smoke in-flight is considered a serious safety concern, and diversions are standard procedure to prevent potential escalation.
Air France confirmed the incident, stressing that passenger and crew safety is its highest priority. The airline arranged a replacement aircraft for the continuation of passengers’ journeys to Paris, which departed the following morning. Crew duty-time regulations also influenced the decision not to attempt continuation of the original flight the same day.
