An Air France flight mistakenly entered a restricted military zone in Ivory Coast, leading to significant delays and the cancellation of its return flight to Paris.
An Air France flight, AF702, carrying 283 passengers and 12 crew members, mistakenly entered a no-go military zone after landing at Abidjan Airport from Paris. The incident raised alarms as it violated security protocols, necessitating a response from military authorities at the airport. According to the Ministry of Transport, air traffic control had directed the aircraft towards the civilian terminal, but the pilots inadvertently maneuvered the plane onto a ramp that led to the nearby Abidjan Military Air Base.
After landing normally at 7:27 PM, the Air France plane triggered a security alert due to this significant piloting error. Following the incident, the aircraft was towed from the military zone to the civilian parking terminal, which resulted in passengers being delayed for several hours. While no passengers were harmed during the incident, the situation highlights the potential dangers of such mistakes in sensitive airspace, particularly in regions where military and civilian operations intersect.
The event also had operational consequences, as the scheduled return flight AF703 to Paris was cancelled due to the diversion, impacting travel plans for those aboard. This misstep not only underscores the need for strict adherence to air traffic control directions but also raises questions about the training and situational awareness of flight crews operating in regions with overlapping civilian and military aviation sectors.
