How an Air France plane found itself in the middle of missile launches between Israel and Iran

The day after the missile attack launched by Iran on Israel on Tuesday, October 1, frightening images went around the world (notably via X). People on planes that evening had filmed Iranian missiles clearly visible in the skies over Iraq from their windows or the cockpit. LCI reveals today that one of the planes which found itself trapped was chartered by Air France.

Our colleagues affirm that Air France flight AF662 departing from Paris Charles-de-Gaulle and bound for Dubai flew over Iraq that evening, at the very moment when a swarm of Iranian missiles fell on Israel. The pilots “saw the missiles from the cockpit” and the Iraqi air traffic controller reportedly wished them “good luck” as they entered the area.

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They fortunately managed to leave the area safely around 7 p.m. and thanks to their report, Iraqi airspace was officially closed by the French authorities at 6:56 p.m. (French time). All other planes were then diverted.

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An open investigation

To our colleagues, then in a press release, Air France assured to “permanently” monitor the geopolitical situation of the territories served by its planes, “in order to ensure the highest level of safety and security of flights”. The airline further clarified that its aircraft “already avoided Israeli, Lebanese and Iranian airspace. Overflight of Iraqi airspace was limited to a specific corridor used by all airlines.”

However, LCI points out the fact that at least one other Air France plane supposed to fly over Iraq at the same time had been diverted and CNN recalls that, a few hours before the strike, the White House had declared that it had “ indications that Iran was preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel.” Perhaps more precaution should have been taken.

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Air France indicates that it has opened an internal investigation.