Air France flight from Paris to Mumbai makes emergency landing in Iran after ‘vanishing from radar’

Air France flight from Paris to Mumbai makes emergency landing in Iran after plane’s ventilation system malfunctions – but denies it ‘disappeared from radar’

  • Airbus A340 unexpectedly descended over city of Isfahan, in central Iran 
  • Flight AF218 landed at city’s airport following malfunction of ventilation system
  • Plane with 256 passengers and 11 crew flown by Air France’s budget carrier Joon

An Air France flight from Paris to Mumbai with 256 passengers on board made an emergency landing in Iran after briefly ‘vanishing’ from radar.

The Airbus A340 plane, flown by the airline’s budget carrier Joon, started to unexpectedly descend over the city of Isfahan, in central Iran, yesterday, and a ‘7700 squawk’, indicating an emergency, was issued by the pilot.  

The AF218 flight, which also had 11 crew, then landed at the city’s airport and Air France later said there had been a malfunction of the ventilation system. 

An Air France flight from Paris to Mumbai with 256 passengers on board made an emergency landing in Iran after briefly ‘vanishing’ from radar

It has not yet been explained how long the plane was missing from radar, or why it disappeared.  

In a statement, the Airline stressed that the landing was ‘precautionary’ and part of normal procedures in such a situation.  

‘Air France confirms that the crew of flight AF218 of May 8, 2019 operated by JOON, between Paris (CDG) and Bombay (BOM) in an Airbus A340, has decided to divert to Isfahan airport (Iran) following a malfunction of the ventilation system,’ a spokesman said. 

The Airbus A340 plane, flown by the airline's budget carrier Joon, started to unexpectedly descend over the city of Isfahan, in central Iran, yesterday, and a '7700 squawk', indicating an emergency, was issued by the pilot. The AF218 flight, which also had 11 crew, then landed at the city's airport (pictured)

The Airbus A340 plane, flown by the airline’s budget carrier Joon, started to unexpectedly descend over the city of Isfahan, in central Iran, yesterday, and a ‘7700 squawk’, indicating an emergency, was issued by the pilot. The AF218 flight, which also had 11 crew, then landed at the city’s airport (pictured)

Air Traffic monitor FlightRadar24 said the flight disappeared from radar over the Iranian city after the jet signal was lost

Air Traffic monitor FlightRadar24 said the flight disappeared from radar over the Iranian city after the jet signal was lost

‘The plane landed normally at Isfahan at 17:00 (Paris time).’ 

‘Air France teams are fully mobilized to take care of customers at Isfahan International Airport.

‘Air France understands and regrets the inconveniences caused by this situation and reminds that the safety of its customers and crews is its absolute imperative,’ they added. 

Air Traffic monitor FlightRadar24 said the flight disappeared from radar after the jet signal was lost. 

It said a ‘7700 squawk’ had been issued by the pilot, which indicates an emergency.   

The plane was being flown by Joon, a budget carrier owned by Air France

The plane was being flown by Joon, a budget carrier owned by Air France

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