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Lufthansa A380 diversion due to passenger's lost tablet raises safety concerns

Lufthansa A380 diversion due to passenger's lost tablet raises safety concerns
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Lufthansa A380 | Official Website

A Lufthansa Airbus A380 en route from Los Angeles to Munich had to make an unscheduled stop in Boston this week due to a passenger's tablet becoming trapped in a business class seat. The airline decided to divert the flight as a precautionary measure due to safety concerns that the device might overheat, which could pose a fire risk.

The Lufthansa aircraft, on flight LH453, typically operates daily between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Munich Airport (MUC). On April 23rd, the plane departed slightly behind schedule from Los Angeles and was cruising over Canada when it was decided to divert to Boston Logan International Airport.

A Lufthansa spokesperson explained, "To eliminate any potential risk, particularly with regard to possible overheating, the cockpit crew and air traffic control jointly decided - as a precaution - to divert the flight to Boston." Upon arrival, Lufthansa Technik staff safely removed and inspected the damaged tablet.

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The flight, carrying 461 passengers, landed in Boston at 02:41 local time after cruising at an altitude of about 35,000 feet. The plane's diversion took place nearly 300 nautical miles northwest of Winnipeg. Following an approximate 90-minute delay in Boston, the flight resumed its journey and arrived in Munich three hours behind schedule.

Despite the inconvenience, Lufthansa emphasized the importance of safety with a statement: "At Lufthansa, the safety of our passengers and crew is always our top priority. The diversion was a purely precautionary measure."

The airline’s move reflects heightened caution across the aviation industry, prompted by recent lithium-ion battery incidents, including fires on aircraft operated by Southwest Airlines and Air Busan. In response, many airlines have updated their protocols to reduce such risks.

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