A “luminous object” observed above the Red Sea, Air France suspends flights over the area as a precaution

Air France indicates that the itinerary of some of its flights has been changed and that some aircraft have turned around and returned to land at their departure airport.

Flights AF473 Mauritius – Paris, AF648 Paris – Reunion and AF470 Paris – Mauritius thus operated normally by adapting their itinerary, extending their flight time, specifies the company. Flights AF934 Paris – Antananarivo and AF814 Paris – Nairobi have returned to Paris and will make a new departure as soon as possible.

Conflict zone

Air France recalls that the safety of its customers and crews “is its absolute imperative” and that it constantly monitors the evolution of the geopolitical situation in the territories served and flown over by its aircraft “in order to ensure the highest level flight safety and security.

Air France is the only company to have taken this precautionary measure, according to a source in the aviation sector, who specifies that the airspace above the region has not been closed.

The Red Sea region has experienced strong instability since November 2023. The Houthis, who control large swaths of Yemen, have since carried out missile and drone attacks against ships they consider linked to Israel, saying they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip, in the grip of a deadly war between Hamas and the Israeli army since October 7, 2023.