Air France Suspends Red Sea Overflights Following Reported Sighting of "Luminous Object"

Air France has suspended flights over the Red Sea "until further notice" after a crew reported seeing a "luminous object" above Sudan, the airline announced. As a precaution, Air France rerouted flights to avoid the region, leading some aircraft to modify flight paths and others to return to their origin airports.

Affected flights included AF473 (Mauritius-Paris), AF648 (Paris-La Réunion), and AF470 (Paris-Mauritius), which extended travel times due to adjusted routes. However, flights AF934 (Paris-Antananarivo) and AF814 (Paris-Nairobi) returned to Paris and will reschedule departures as soon as feasible.

Prioritizing safety as an "absolute imperative," Air France consistently monitors geopolitical changes to ensure the highest safety levels on all flights. The airline is the only carrier to have implemented this precautionary measure, as the Red Sea’s airspace remains open.

The decision follows recent instability in the Red Sea region. Since November 2023, Houthi forces from Yemen have conducted drone and missile attacks against vessels believed to be affiliated with Israel, citing solidarity with Gaza. This conflict has severely impacted maritime traffic in this vital trade area, with ongoing attacks in the Gulf of Aden disrupting shipping operations. An international coalition, led by the United States with support from the UK, has undertaken countermeasures against the Houthis, although the strikes have yet to halt attacks on vessels near Yemen.