Tbilisi, Georgia – An Air France flight from Bangkok to Paris was unexpectedly diverted to Tbilisi, Georgia, on Sunday, February 1, 2026, following a reported incident of a hot odor detected in the aircraft’s cabin. The Boeing 777, operating as flight AF183, declared an emergency while flying over Azerbaijan, approximately eight hours after its departure from Bangkok.
Precautionary Diversion Due to Cabin Odor
Air France confirmed to actu Paris that the crew of flight AF183 made the decision to divert as a precautionary measure after detecting an unusual hot odor in the cabin. “This decision was made in accordance with the manufacturer’s procedures, the company’s instructions, and the principle of precaution,” stated an Air France spokesperson.
The aircraft landed safely at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) at 5:50 PM local time. All passengers and crew members disembarked without incident. Air France has expressed its regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers and reiterated that the safety of its customers and crews remains its absolute priority.
Passengers Accommodated and Re-routed
Following the unscheduled landing, passengers were provided with accommodation by the airport teams in Tbilisi. They are scheduled to resume their journey to Paris on Monday, February 2, 2026, aboard a different aircraft provided by Air France.
The airline is working to minimize further disruptions to passengers’ travel plans. Details regarding the exact cause of the odor are currently under investigation, but initial reports emphasize that the diversion was a safety precaution.
Impact on Travel and Air France’s Response
The incident highlights the stringent safety protocols followed by airlines to ensure passenger well-being. Diversions, while inconvenient, are standard procedures when crews identify potential issues that could compromise flight safety.
This event comes as a reminder of the complexities of air travel and the continuous efforts by airlines to maintain high safety standards. Air France has not yet provided a timeline for the investigation into the origin of the hot odor but assures that all necessary steps will be taken to understand and address the issue.
For travelers impacted by such events, airlines typically provide assistance with accommodation, meals, and alternative travel arrangements to their final destination, as has been the case for the passengers of flight AF183.
Further updates on the incident and the re-routing of passengers are expected to be released by Air France as the situation develops.
Source: https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/tremblay-en-france_93073/un-boeing-d-air-france-de-bangkok-vers-paris-oblige-de-prendre-en-urgence-une-direction-inattendue_63778189.html
