Air France has temporarily suspended flights over the Red Sea following an alarming report from one of its pilots. The pilot noticed a luminous object while flying over Sudan, prompting the airline to prioritize safety.
In response, Air France confirmed it would halt flights in this area as a precaution. Some routes now divert away from the Red Sea, while others return to Paris before resuming travel to their intended destinations. The airline emphasizes that the safety of its passengers, pilots, and crew is its top priority.
The situation arises amid ongoing alerts from the European Aviation Safety Agency regarding conflict zones. These alerts concern countries bordering the Red Sea, including Israel, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, warnings also extend to African nations like Libya, Mali, Somalia, and South Sudan.
Particularly, the agency advised airlines to steer clear of Yemen’s airspace at all flight levels, barring specific exceptions. They urged air operators to stay vigilant about regional airspace developments. This caution also applies to information from neighboring countries and relevant authorities.
As of late October, the advisory remains active and is set to last until at least April 2025, provided the situation does not worsen. Air France is adhering to these guidelines, having rerouted or turned back several flights in compliance with the new protocols.
For instance, on November 3, a Boeing 787-9 en route from Paris to Nairobi had to return shortly before crossing into Egypt. The following day, it took a significantly altered path, flying southward over Spain and Algeria, avoiding the Red Sea entirely.
Similarly, the airline’s flight from Zanzibar to Paris, which typically traverses the Red Sea, adopted a southern route over Burkina Faso. These changes highlight Air France’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its operations in a challenging environment.
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