Smoky Scoot Over to Munich: Easyjet's Unexpected Landing
Airliner operating under Easyjet branding is forced to touch down in Munich.
Want the lowdown on that unexpected detour taken by an Easyjet flight bound for Santorini? Well, buckle up, mate, 'cause things got a bit smoky on this trip!
An Airbus A320 operated by Easyjet took an unscheduled detour to Munich instead of Santorini due to a peculiar incident. According to a company representative, a technical hiccup discovered mid-flight caused the alarming smoke tottering around the cabin, forcing the pilots to make a smart decision and divert to Munich Airport for a safe landing.
Initially, the plane had taken off from London Gatwick Airport, all set for a sunny afternoon arrival in Santorini. However, this pleasant journey took an unpredictable twist when the passenger cabin filled with smoke! Easyjet confirmed that, though the smoke was detected, no actual fire was ablaze. The pilots promptly issued a priority warning, but by no means did they cry wolf with a distress call, that's reserved for hair-raising emergencies.
After the safe landing in Munich - an undeniably routine, yet precautionary measure, according to Easyjet - ground staff was ready and waiting for the passengers. No worries, though, as these passengers hopped onto a replacement plane that very night to complete their journey to Santorini.
Source: ntv.de, spl/dpa
- Aircraft: Airbus A320
- Airline: Easyjet
Behind the Scenes:
The incident took place on June 17, 2025, when the EasyJet Airbus A320-200 flying from London Gatwick to Santorini detected the smell of smoke during cruising at flight level 350, approximately 20 nautical miles west of Munich. Due to safety concerns, the crew decided to divert and landed on Munich's runway 08R about 40 minutes later. The specific technical cause of the smoke was not detailed in available information, but the precautionary diversion was meant to protect passengers and crew members. A replacement aircraft was soon arranged, resulting in an estimated 7-hour delay for the onward journey to Santorini. [1][2][3]
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of this Regulation in the aviation industry, especially concerning unexpected landings like the one experienced by Easyjet's Airbus A320 during a flight from London Gatwick to Santorini. Despite the smoke incident, which did not involve an actual fire, the finance sector may face potential losses due to compensation claims from transported passengers.
