Quantcast

Air France Airbus returns after cabin depressurization incident

Air France Airbus returns after cabin depressurization incident
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

An Air France Airbus A318 aircraft was compelled to return to Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport after experiencing cabin depressurization on January 3, 2025. The plane, identified as F-GUGR, was operating flight AF1448 from Paris to Barcelona when the crew decided to turn back shortly after takeoff.

The incident occurred 17 minutes into the flight, prompting the crew to initiate an emergency landing. Video footage later surfaced on social media showing oxygen masks being deployed in the cabin. A spokesperson for Air France confirmed the situation and stated that "the crew of flight AF1448...decided to return to its base after 17 minutes of flight due to cabin pressure malfunction."

Air France emphasized that their crews are trained regularly for such scenarios in line with manufacturer guidelines. The airline noted that "the automatic mask drop altitude had not yet been reached," so the crew manually activated the oxygen masks.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Upon returning, the aircraft landed without further issues at Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 22:12 local time for technical inspections. Consequently, both flights AF1448 and its return leg AF1449 were canceled.

The Airbus A318 involved is an 18-year-old model capable of seating up to 131 passengers in a single-class layout. As per ch-aviation fleet data, it had accumulated over 35,000 flight hours by September 2024.

Air France's A318s operate various short-haul European routes from bases in Paris and Nice. With only seven A318s remaining in their fleet and two undergoing maintenance, Air France has yet to announce a retirement date for these aircraft. However, as they expand their Airbus A220 fleet, the future of their A318 operations appears limited.

The Airbus A318 is part of the larger A320 family but has seen declining use among airlines due to its smaller capacity and range compared to newer models like the Airbus A220-300.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Alaska Airlines has announced a significant expansion of its route network for 2026, with plans to introduce service to two new cities and launch 13 new or returning routes.

Oct 25, 2025

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025