Air France Archives - Aviation Today

Los Angeles, United States: A serious runway incursion at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) prompted an Air France Boeing 777 to abort takeoff at high speed, after another aircraft entered the active runway without authorization, triggering safety alerts and immediate intervention by air traffic control. The incident occurred on April 8, 2026, involving Air France Flight AF25, a Boeing 777-300ER scheduled to operate from Los Angeles to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft had been cleared for departure from Runway 24L and had already begun its takeoff roll when the situation unfolded. Air traffic controllers abruptly cancelled the takeoff clearance after a Gulfstream G650ER business jet entered the same runway without authorization. The Gulfstream had just landed at LAX following a short flight from San Francisco and had been explicitly instructed to hold short of the runway, which the pilot acknowledged before proceeding past the hold line. As the Air France aircraft accelerated, runway status lights turned red, warning of a potential conflict. The flight crew immediately initiated a rejected takeoff (RTO) procedure, applying heavy braking while still under power. Air traffic control recordings captured the urgency of the moment, with controllers informing the Air France crew that the Gulfstream had crossed onto the runway and into their path. The Boeing 777 slowed safely and exited the runway without incident. The aircraft remained off the runway for approximately 10 minutes before returning for departure. It later took off normally and completed its transatlantic flight to Paris without further issues. The incident is now under investigation, raising renewed concerns about runway safety at one of the world’s busiest airports.

Air France Aborts Takeoff At LAX After Gulfstream Jet Enters Runway Without Clearance

Aviation Today News Desk / April 14, 2026

Los Angeles, United States: A serious runway incursion at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) prompted an Air France Boeing 777 […]

Airlines

Qatar Airways Named World’s Best Airline For 2026 As Asia, Middle East Dominate

Aviation Today News Desk / March 19, 2026

Global aviation benchmarking platform AirlineRatings.com has released its “World’s Best Airlines for 2026” report, naming Qatar Airways as the world’s

Incidents

Air France Boeing 777 Paris–Chad Flight Returns To Paris After Mid-Air Emergency

Aviation Today News Desk / March 18, 2026

Paris, France: An Air France long-haul flight bound for Chad was forced to return to Paris after the crew declared

Airports

Drone Strike Near Dubai Airport Triggers Fire & Flight Suspensions Amid Gulf Crisis

Aviation Today News Desk / March 17, 2026

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: An Iranian drone strike near Dubai International Airport triggered a major fuel tank fire on March

Middle East

US–Israel–Iran War Trigggers Widespread Airspace Closures, 4,000+ Flight Cancellations

Aviation Today News Desk / March 2, 2026

Middle East: Global air travel faced unprecedented disruption this weekend after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack

Airlines

Three British Airways Crew Hospitalized After Consuming Marijuana-Infused Candies

Aviation Today News Desk / February 11, 2026

London, United Kingdom: Three British Airways cabin crew members were hospitalized after consuming sweets containing a high dose of marijuana

Incidents

Air France A350 With 283 Passengers Makes Wrong Turn Into Military Zone At Abidjan

Aviation Today News Desk / February 10, 2026

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire: An Air France Airbus A350-900 carrying 283 passengers and 12 crew members inadvertently taxied into a restricted

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: An Air France long-haul service from Bengaluru to Paris was forced to divert to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, early on January 13, 2026, after one of the aircraft’s engines reported a technical fault mid-flight, leaving passengers stranded for more than 15 hours before onward travel arrangements could be made. Flight AF191A, operated with a Boeing 777-200ER, departed Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) at 11:22 pm IST on January 12 bound for Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Approximately four hours into the scheduled 10-hour journey, the flight crew detected an issue with one of the aircraft’s two engines while over Turkmenistan airspace. Following standard safety protocols and manufacturer guidance, the pilots shut down the affected engine and diverted to the nearest suitable airport. The aircraft made a safe landing at Ashgabat International Airport at 3:37 am local time on January 13. In a statement issued through the Press Trust of India (PTI), Air France confirmed the diversion was purely a precautionary safety measure in response to a “technical incident” involving one of the engines. The airline emphasized that the decision was consistent with company operating procedures and the manufacturer’s instructions. Upon landing, passengers and crew were initially required to remain onboard due to Turkmenistan’s strict visa and entry requirements. Once local authorities cleared entry formalities, travellers disembarked and were assisted by airport staff. Air France arranged hotel accommodation near Ashgabat airport for affected passengers. According to aviation tracking data, a replacement Air France flight, AF386V, was dispatched from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Ashgabat to transport passengers onward. The airline projected that this flight would depart Ashgabat later on January 13, with an estimated arrival at Paris around 2:40 am local time on January 14. However, timings were subject to change based on operational conditions. The Indian Embassy in Turkmenistan confirmed it had met with Indian passengers affected by the diversion and assured them of “full support” to facilitate their onward journey, including assistance with consular formalities. Reports indicate that passengers remained at or around the Ashgabat airport for over 33 hours before relief arrangements were fully in place. Turkmenistan’s stringent entry rules including requirements for invitation letters and mandatory COVID-19 testing for air travellers added to the complexity of managing passenger disembarkation and accommodation in the Central Asian state. No injuries were reported during the diversion or subsequent ground handling. Aviation experts note that unscheduled diversions due to technical issues, while uncommon, are managed through established protocols designed to maintain aircraft and passenger safety. Air France reiterated its regret for the inconvenience experienced by passengers and highlighted that safety remains its top priority.

Incidents

Air France Bengaluru To Paris Flight Diverts To Turkmenistan After Engine Issue

Aviation Today News Desk / January 15, 2026

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: An Air France long-haul service from Bengaluru to Paris was forced to divert to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, early on

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.

Incidents

Air France Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Munich After Technical Issue Midair Alert

Aviation Today News Desk / January 6, 2026

Munich, Germany: An Air France Airbus A330‑200 operating flight AF565 from Beirut, Lebanon, to Paris Charles de Gaulle, France, was

Lyon, France: An Air France Airbus A320 operating flight AF7562 from Paris-Orly to Ajaccio was forced to divert and make an emergency landing at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport on Saturday, December 20, after a technical problem developed shortly after departure, the airline and multiple sources confirmed. The aircraft, carrying 173 passengers, departed from Paris-Orly and climbed to cruising altitude when crew detected a technical issue that prompted them to declare an emergency and reroute to the nearest suitable airport as a precautionary measure, according to Air France’s statement. The airline described the fault as a technical problem that did not compromise the aircraft’s airworthiness, emphasizing that crews followed procedures by shutting down the affected engine and diverting safely. The aircraft touched down at Lyon at approximately 18:25 local time, with no injuries reported. According to aviation specialists cited by French media, the incident likely involved a “pompage moteur”, a known phenomenon where air pockets in the engine cause significant vibrations, forcing pilots to shut down the engine. Once the engine was cut, vibrations subsided and the Airbus A320 continued to land normally on the remaining operational engine. Several passengers described a frightening experience in the cabin, reporting strong vibrations, alarms activating, and what they perceived as flashes or flames near one wing. One traveler told RTL that the aircraft “suddenly dropped” and multiple control lights illuminated, adding to onboard alarm. Others recounted hearing a loud “boom” and visible movements that led to panic among some passengers. Despite passenger perceptions, Air France and aviation experts clarified that there was no confirmed engine fire and no smoke warnings were triggered during the flight. Some brief flames at the engine exhaust area limited in duration and contained within the engine could explain eyewitness descriptions but did not indicate an in-flight fire event. After the unscheduled landing in Lyon, ground teams accommodated all passengers and arranged onward travel. Air France rebooked the 173 passengers on a later flight from Lyon to Bastia, which departed at 22:39 and arrived at 23:50. From Bastia, passengers were transferred by bus to Ajaccio, arriving in the early hours of Sunday morning. The airline expressed regret for the disruption and reiterated that passenger and crew safety remained the company’s top priority throughout the event.

Incidents

Air France Flight AF7562 Makes Emergency Landing In Lyon After Technical Incident

Aviation Today News Desk / December 22, 2025

Lyon, France: An Air France Airbus A320 operating flight AF7562 from Paris-Orly to Ajaccio was forced to divert and make

Air France

Air France Aborts Takeoff At LAX After Gulfstream Jet Enters Runway Without Clearance

Qatar Airways Named World’s Best Airline For 2026 As Asia, Middle East Dominate

Air France Boeing 777 Paris–Chad Flight Returns To Paris After Mid-Air Emergency

Drone Strike Near Dubai Airport Triggers Fire & Flight Suspensions Amid Gulf Crisis

US–Israel–Iran War Trigggers Widespread Airspace Closures, 4,000+ Flight Cancellations

Three British Airways Crew Hospitalized After Consuming Marijuana-Infused Candies

Air France A350 With 283 Passengers Makes Wrong Turn Into Military Zone At Abidjan

Air France Bengaluru To Paris Flight Diverts To Turkmenistan After Engine Issue

Air France Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Munich After Technical Issue Midair Alert

Air France Flight AF7562 Makes Emergency Landing In Lyon After Technical Incident

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