AMSTERDAM – On the evening of December 29, 2024, two KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft were forced to return to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) due to technical difficulties. Both planes landed safely, with no reported injuries among passengers or crew.
Incident Overview
1. KLM Flight KL835
- Route: Amsterdam to Bali (DPS) via Singapore (SIN).
- Aircraft: Boeing 777-306(ER), PH-BVS, 7.9 years old.
- Issue: Technical anomalies detected over German airspace.
- Outcome: Departed AMS at 9:54 PM local time; returned and landed safely at 11:30 PM.
2. KLM Flight KL895
- Route: Amsterdam to Shanghai (PVG).
- Aircraft: Boeing 777-206(ER), PH-BQD, 21.1 years old.
- Issue: Malfunction in the drinking water system over Azerbaijan.
- Outcome: Departed AMS at 2:33 PM local time; returned and landed safely at 11:30 PM.
Additional Context
Recent KLM Flight Incident
On December 28, 2024, a KLM flight traveling from Oslo to Amsterdam faced unusual noise during takeoff, leading to a diversion to another Norwegian airport.
- Aftermath: The aircraft veered off the runway at low speed, coming to rest on adjacent grass. Emergency teams evacuated all passengers and crew without injuries.
Earlier Apron Incident
Earlier in December, a KLM Boeing 777-200ER, PH-BQE, veered off the apron during a maintenance tow operation at Schiphol. The aircraft became stuck in adjacent mud and grass, requiring emergency teams to secure the area.
Safety and Response
Handling of Sunday’s Incidents
KLM demonstrated effective response protocols by ensuring safe returns for both flights. The airline issued statements affirming its commitment to passenger safety and promised investigations into the causes of the technical issues.
Impacts on Operations
While these incidents highlight the airline’s safety-first approach, they raise questions about the reliability of older aircraft models in its fleet, particularly those over 20 years old, such as PH-BQD.
Similar Cases in Aviation
Technical issues mid-flight are not uncommon and emphasize the importance of rigorous maintenance and monitoring protocols:
- United Airlines Flight 2225 recently diverted due to cockpit smoke.
- Delta Air Lines Flight DL850 experienced fumes in the cockpit, prompting a precautionary landing.
- Wizz Air Flight W61771 diverted after smoke was detected in the cabin.
The safe return of two KLM flights to Amsterdam on December 29 underscores the airline’s robust safety measures and emergency handling protocols. However, the recurrence of technical incidents, including Saturday’s runway diversion, highlights the importance of preventive maintenance and fleet modernization.
KLM continues to prioritize passenger and crew safety, while investigations aim to ensure such occurrences are minimized in the future.
