Vueling Airbus A320 from Brussels to Malaga diverts to Paris CDG after pressurisation problems

On 17 January, a Vueling Airbus A320 (registered EC-KLT) operated flight VY2151 between Brussels, Belgium, and Malaga, Spain. While flying at 37,000 feet, South of Paris, the aircraft made a rapid descent and diversion to Paris CDG.

A passenger on board, whose name is known to the editors of Aviation24.be said that the aircraft suffered a decompression, hence the rapid descent to 10,000 feet then the diversion. “We saw crew running towards the cockpit with oxygen bottles. In a panic, the cabin crew was shoving hand luggage into the overhead bins. Only a short message from the pilot who announced with a trembling voice that the aircraft suffered a technical issue,” the passenger said.

Once landed at Paris CDG, the same passenger felt abandoned by the airline: “Once we arrived, we felt left behind. Nobody representing the airline awaited us…. Only the Vueling App provided us with a new flight to Sevilla (flight VY8829 from Paris CDG was scheduled to land in Sevilla the next day around midnight), no information via e-mail or a phone call.”

Stefanie Larmuseau, another passenger, recounts her experience during this particular flight from Brussels to Malaga. The journey faced delays due to snow, a technical issue, and a medical emergency during boarding. The flight experienced a rapid descent (announced by the cockpit crew as RAPID DESCENT), leading to concerns among passengers. After landing in Paris CDG, she (and fellow passengers) felt abandoned by the airline, facing a lack of communication and assistance.

“Eventually, we were informed of being rebooked on different flights, I managed to depart the next morning from Paris Orly to Malaga, despite facing various challenges during the process,” Larmuseau added, emphasising the need for better communication and support from the airline during such incidents. (Full testimony in comments section – Dutch)

The belated Airbus is still grounded at Paris CDG at the moment of writing, Aviation24.be asked Vueling for an official statement.

Update 5 February: on 2 February, Vueling communicated to Aviation24.be:

“At Vueling, we always prioritize our passengers’ safety and well-being, and this is why the flight VY2151 was diverted to Charles de Gaulle airport, in a completely out of the ordinary situation. All passengers were relocated to alternative flights departing from Paris-Orly airport or Charles de Gaulle airport, always prioritizing the fastest way to get our passengers to their final destination.

Accommodation and transportation were also arranged by the Vueling team. Nevertheless, we do understand the challenges of the situation faced by our customers, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. Our team worked diligently to minimize disruptions and ensure that passengers were relocated as swiftly as possible.”