Air France Changes Flight Routes After ‘Luminous Object’ Incident

Update: Investigation Underway Following Close Call Over France

Air France has modified its flight paths after a near-miss incident involving a “luminous object” over France. The incident, which occurred on April 12, 2023, has prompted an investigation by aviation authorities.

According to reports, an Air France Airbus A320 aircraft was flying from Paris to Nice when it encountered a bright, unidentified object in the vicinity of Montélimar, southeastern France. The object reportedly came within close proximity to the aircraft, causing the pilots to take evasive action.

The pilots immediately reported the incident to air traffic control and subsequently diverted the aircraft to Lyon for a precautionary landing. No injuries or damage to the aircraft were reported.

The French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) has launched an investigation into the incident. The BEA is expected to interview the pilots, examine the aircraft’s flight data recorders, and gather any other relevant information to determine the cause of the near-miss.

In the meantime, Air France has announced that it has modified its flight routes to avoid the area where the incident occurred. The airline is also working closely with the BEA to assist in the investigation.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of air travel in the region. In recent years, there have been several reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in French airspace. However, the BEA has yet to determine whether the object encountered by the Air France aircraft was a UFO or a more conventional object, such as a drone or a weather balloon.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further updates are expected in the coming weeks.