On 8 May, Air France flight AF218 (A340-300 registered F-GLZP, operated by sister company JOON) between Paris CDG and Mumbai, India diverted to Isfahan, Iran following a malfunction of the ventilation system.
“The decision to divert is in line with the manufacturer’s procedures and in accordance with the precautionary principle,” Air France informed.
“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.”
It can be a difficult task for Air France to repair and recuperate the aircraft from Iran: on 14 December, a Norwegian Boeing 737 MAX 8 encountered an engine problem (low oil pressure on the left-hand engine). Norwegian was only able to recover the aircraft again after 70 days of patience, due to American sanctions on Iran.
Luckily, the aircraft was able to leave Iran and took off for a flight to Dubai World Central International Airport (DWC).
Seventy days after diversion to Shiraz in Iran, Norwegian’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 returns to Stockholm
