Air France Suspends Red Sea Flights After Crew Sighting of Mysterious Object

On November 3, 2024, Air France temporarily halted flights over the Red Sea after one of its flight crews reported seeing a “luminous object” at high altitude in Sudan’s airspace. In a statement to AeroTime, Air France described the action as a “precautionary measure,” reflecting a cautious approach to passenger and crew safety given current regional tensions.

Flight AF934 Diverted Mid-Flight

The event notably affected flight AF934, which had departed from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) bound for Antananarivo Ivato Airport (TNR) in Madagascar, shortly after 11:00 AM local time. About three hours into the journey, the flight was redirected back to Paris due to the unusual sighting, marking a rare occurrence of such mid-flight adjustments by the airline.

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In addition to AF934, Air France also diverted flight AF814, which was en route from Paris to Nairobi, back to Paris. Both return flights (AF935 and AF815) were postponed, with Air France reassuring that these flights would be rescheduled as soon as feasible. By the evening, AF834 resumed its journey to TNR, while AF814 and AF4190 were rescheduled for departure on November 4, 2024.

Air France Increased Caution Amid Heightened Red Sea Tensions

Air France Red Sea Flights — Photo by ***Magda Ehlers***

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Although Air France did not confirm the nature or source of the “luminous object,” its response points to the elevated caution airlines are exercising in the region. In recent months, regional tensions have intensified, especially in the Middle East, prompting airlines to monitor such areas closely.

This year alone, Houthi forces in Yemen have launched missiles at both commercial and naval vessels transiting the Red Sea, while also targeting Israel in support of Palestine. These developments underline the elevated risks airlines face when routing flights over the Red Sea and nearby regions.

Air France Red Sea flights caution: Commitment to Passenger Safety

In its statement to AeroTime, Air France reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to passenger and crew safety. “Air France reminds that the safety of its customers and crews is its absolute imperative,” an Air France spokesperson said. The airline further emphasized its ongoing assessment of geopolitical factors in the regions it serves, ensuring strict safety protocols are met.

Rerouted Flights Through Safer Airspace

In the aftermath of the incident, FlightRadar24 tracked Air France flights rerouting over safer airspaces, including through Oman and Saudi Arabia, as a means of avoiding Red Sea airspace.